Have you ever noticed how we grade sins? Let’s, for the sake of argument, just grade our sins.

• Grade 1- the really bad ones. Adultery. Murder. Homosexuality.
• Grade 2- Cheating. Lying (as far as its not a “little white one”). Theft.
• Grade 3- Division. Lying (little white ones). Laziness.

Granted, that is not an exact science. I’m only using it as an example of the way we grade our sins: some are really, really bad; some are so-so; some not so bad. We could even add a category of justified sins if we want. And, of course, there are many more sins we could list.

I left one out…on purpose. That’s because it is not seen as a really, really bad one and is even overlooked or simply forgotten. Let me give you a hint:

“Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.” Pr. 26:20

“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” Pr. 26:22

Okay…so I guess that is not so subtle, is it? The “respectable” sin, the “acceptable” sin, the one not graded harshly is G.O.S.S.I.P. On a scale of 1-10, gossip might hit a “3” on the Sin-o-Meter.  That’s tragic though. Gossip has killed more people that we could count. While some would never consider carrying a firearm to take someone’s life, they have very little qualm about using their mouth to snuff out someone’s reputation, good name, future, friendship, etc all in the name of “passing along” some information.

Let’s get it through our heads-and hearts-that gossip is a deadly sin, capable of destroying lives, taking out families, even companies. Let me close with a thought from Proverbs 26:

“If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.” (Verses 27-28)

Just those two verses should sober us up real quickly. Let’s stop the GOSSIP.

{All Scripture from the New Living Translation}