How do you deal with gossipers in your Church? Everyone has got them.?

Question

spiritroaming: if it's a real family then I know you got 'em lol

Answer 1

Unfortunately gossip is every where is family, friends, church, work but I find what you seek it what you will find if you seek to gossip you will find it. I made it Crystal clear by words deeds and action that I will not partake or participate in gossip because I was gossiped about all through school and I would never want to make everyone feel like crap that way I was treated. How I handle gossip? If I have beef or an issue with a person I do one of 2 things I directly go to that person and confront them in love or if I am not able to do that I go to my prayer closet and share my grievance with the Lord Jesus to give me wisdom how to deal with people and I state my case before the Lord in private.

Gossip also has a way of biting you in the backside when you partake of it and I have seen friendships and family and people in school destroyed because of gossip and slander.

When the gossipers start I pray and say I will keep the situation in prayer and politely leave the best way to stop gossip is not start it in the first place.

Answer 2

Are they gossiping about you, or TO you?

If they are talking to you, ask them to stop, because you don't want to sin.

One way of dealing with people who you think are gossiping about you, behind your back, is to walk up to them and tell them that you heard that they are talking about you, and you wanted to know if it were true. This approach to confronting people about their (apparent) sins is found in Matthew 18:15-20.

Psychiatrist & author David J. Lieberman agrees with this approach, since he believes that most gossips tend to lose their nerve once they realize that they are no longer anonymous. There are various reasons for this, but you can read his book for yourself.

If this doesn't work, follow the steps outlined in the passage found in Matthew.

Answer 3

I H.A.T.E. gossip!!! Everyone gossips - not just in church. I try really hard to hold my tongue but I am human and slip up now and then. Many times I just walk away or if I am feeling really gutsy I will blurt out that we shouldn't be talking about such things.

Answer 4

In all honesty, I have yet to come across that in my church. Seriously.

I know it's hard to believe but this church is a real family.


Midge - I tell you truthfully, I have never had the misfortune to hear one word of gossip. :)

Answer 5

I ask if they personally know X as a fact, or if it is gossip. That usually shuts it down fast.

If that does not do it, "How will knowing this enable me to support them?" is a good one.

Fot the truly dense, walk away.

Answer 6

It's a big source of sin for me.

They really cheese me off.

I'm Catholic. Which means Jesus is truly present! Right there in the tabernacle. Why would you sit before God and talk smack? Why talk at all? PRAY!! Worship!

I shouldn't be getting that angry before mass. But it really bugs me. Which is why I try to attend churches where silence in the sanctuary is observed.

Answer 7

Like the words of Blessed Mother Theresa "Pray and Forgive"

Answer 8

I thought you HAD to gossip to be a part of a church or they would take away your membership.

Answer 9

we have a standing rule to redirect them to the people they want to gossip about.

If I'm not part of the problem, or part of the solution, then I have no part.

Answer 10

Just kind of turn the other cheek. Of course people are going to gossip no matter where you are so you just have to ignore them and hope they stop, and if they don't stop I just try to ask them to stop, at least when they're around me.