Can I be honest with you, sis? Although I think it may be time to move on from your friendship with Richard (he doesn't sound like a great friend), I'm more concerned with you. By definition, gossip is saying anything about a person that might make someone think less of him or her. It honestly doesn't matter if what you're saying is true or not. If you called a girl a (yes, I know), that's going to make others think less of her, which means it’s gossip. And gossip is wrong. But don’t take my word for it. Let me share a few verses with you (These verses are all taken from The Message translation):
Leviticus 19:16—Don't spread gossip and rumors....I am GOD.
Proverbs 4:24—Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Proverbs 11:13—A gadabout gossip can't be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won't violate a confidence.
Proverbs 12:13—The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
Proverbs 16:27—Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn.
Proverbs 17:4—Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
Proverbs 18:8—Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
Proverbs 24:28—Don't talk about your neighbors behind their backs-- no slander or gossip, please.
Proverbs 26:20—When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.
Now I'm not saying you’re a mean, bad, or evil person! But I love you, and because I love you I want you to be the BEST you that you can be! The surest way to attract great friends is to be a great friend. Since no one wants to be gossiped about, we shouldn't talk bad about others either. So yes, I think that if R is going down a path that you don't want to go down, absolutely stop hanging around him. First Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company corrupts good character." Find friends who are going to make you kinder, stronger and smarter, and try your best to be that kind of friend to others.
Love,
Leviticus 19:16—Don't spread gossip and rumors....I am GOD.
Proverbs 4:24—Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Proverbs 11:13—A gadabout gossip can't be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won't violate a confidence.
Proverbs 12:13—The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
Proverbs 16:27—Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn.
Proverbs 17:4—Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
Proverbs 18:8—Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
Proverbs 24:28—Don't talk about your neighbors behind their backs-- no slander or gossip, please.
Proverbs 26:20—When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.
Now I'm not saying you’re a mean, bad, or evil person! But I love you, and because I love you I want you to be the BEST you that you can be! The surest way to attract great friends is to be a great friend. Since no one wants to be gossiped about, we shouldn't talk bad about others either. So yes, I think that if R is going down a path that you don't want to go down, absolutely stop hanging around him. First Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company corrupts good character." Find friends who are going to make you kinder, stronger and smarter, and try your best to be that kind of friend to others.
Love,
