Somehow the saying became “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” but whoever came up with that has never been subject to the pain that harsh words can bring. In fact, it’s often the case that the wounds caused by words cut deeper and last longer than the bumps and bruises caused by a stone’s throw or a swung stick. The Apostle Paul appeal for us to have speech that is seasoned with salt, so that our words do not open up bitter wounds (Colossians 4:6).

One way our unseasoned words hurt is through Gossip. How horrible this sin is! It separates friends (Proverbs 17:9). It sows strife and digs up evil (Proverbs 16:27). It wounds the soul of the gossiper (Proverbs 18:7), and wounds the feelings of the one gossiped about (Proverbs 18:8).

In a list of the worst kinds of evil, along side blasphemy and murder, there sits gossip (called “whisperers” in the King James — Romans 1:28-32).  It is a dangerous sin in large part because it’s so easy to do. All it takes is a story to tell and an ear willing to hear it.

Let’s remove gossip from our lives. Lets talk to others as though someone else is listening, because someone Else always is.