Beyond the Weekend

August 28 | Dessert

August 28, 2019

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22

Read: Proverbs 26:22

Listen: Proverbs 26

TODAY’S MESSAGE

We are surrounded by candy and sweet, baked goods today. Treats were harder to come by in biblical times. The aroma of a baking cake would have caused mouths to water in anticipation of the rare delight to come.

In much the same way, gossip is alluring and hard to refuse. It’s like the pull of warm, baked cookies. We vow only to eat one.  Before we know it, the plate is empty. A steady diet of gossip contaminates our souls and pollutes our hearts. It taints our views of people, causing us not to see them as God’s valued children.

While gossip can be hard to avoid, we can pay attention to who we’re listening to. We can resist gossip-filled conversation by not engaging or offering a verbal clue that we’re not interested. A simple “I’m not comfortable with this” or “I don’t agree” can shift a conversation. Much like cutting sweets from our diet—it will take work, but the reward will be our spiritual and relational health.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Consider who you need to stop listening to and take one step forward today. Maybe it’s someone you need to “unfollow” on social media, a website you shouldn’t visit, or a friendship you need to set conversational boundaries with. Ask God to help you step away or deal wisely with them.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

 

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