Spreading gospel instead of gossip

This is the season of political madness. Character assassination has become a staple in our political system. It does not matter if the charges are true or verifiable.

The press reports the accusation and a person’s reputation is ruined. Yet, the public seems to have a fascination with these reports.

It reminds me of how during the time of Jesus’ ministry, He was accused of several things, such as associating with tax collectors and sinners and saying that He healed by the power of Satan instead of admitting that He was from God. He was even accused of blasphemy.

The accusations were done in an attempt to discredit Him and His ministry.

Later as Christianity spread, a rumor also spread that Christians were drinking real blood and practicing cannibalism at the Lord’s Supper. Of course, those spreading the rumor never bothered to verify what really happened. People assumed it to be true because it was reported in the news reports of the day.

How similar this is to gossip and rumors spread in a small town? Never mind that the story has not been verified.

Gossip and rumors take on a life of their own, and we assume that since they could be true, they are true. The end result, whether it is gossip on a person-to-person level, or an attempt by the press to assassinate the character of a candidate or an individual, the result is the same…hard feelings, ruined reputations, perhaps even broken friendships.

Does anything good come out of this?

During my 43 years of being married to my wife Carol, I have heard many stories that usually start with the words, “You know what I heard…” Of course, the person telling the story refuses to tell where they heard it.

The first step in stopping a gossiper is not to listen to them. Let them know you consider the discussion to be gossip. Ask them if they checked out their story with the person they are talking about; the odds are the answer is no.

Whether we read a story in a newspaper, or hear a story from a friend, we should seek to verify the truth of the matter, and not become part of the problem.

Jesus said in Mathew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbors as yourself.” This means treating your neighbor the way you yourself would like to be treated.

One needs to ask oneself, does spreading gossip, a form of character assassination whether public or private, really promote what Jesus commanded us to do?