Just a tidbit to shine the light on certain behaviors: People who gossip or tell stories about others often do so not because those stories are true, but rather because they are jealous or envious.
For example, if someone gossips about another person, saying that they are a worthless nobody and should be ignored, what they are actually expressing is,
“I am jealous of that person who receives a lot of attention for being a good person, and doing godly things for others selflessly therefore I will speak poorly of them in order to gain attention myself because I am selfish.”
Imagine that…
The people who make you an imaginary enemy, slandering or gossiping about you to others, are actually the ones who look up to you so much that they feel the need to speak negatively about you in order to seek your attention. So instead of getting angry when you hear about this poor and confused behavior, take it as a compliment. And if someone asks you, “Would you like to hear what so-and-so is saying about you?” or begins to tell you without asking first, remember that you have the choice to politely decline or redirect the conversation.
I encourage responding by saying, “I am not interested in what that person said about me to you. If they had an ounce of courage, they would say it directly to me. However, they suffer from insecurity which leaves their words not trustworthy and ultimately stems from their misplaced respect for me.”
The devil is the author of confusion, so we should see gossip for what it truly is – Satan’s attempt to cast a negative light on others. However, this tactic often backfires, as it only brings more attention to the target of the gossip, especially from the very people the gossiper shared the stories with. In turn, this creates alliances and connections that the gossiper was trying to prevent the target from forming or being a part of. Therefore confirming and adding to Genesis 50:20, which states,
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Let’s go one step further. Although I study the King James Version of the Bible and the New International Version, I often like to use the Message Bible for clarity on a particular topic. —That being said, this wicked behavior of gossip and misplaced respect, which God allows for the good of His people, even though troubling for a season can be likened to a boomerang.
A boomerang is designed to be thrown in such a way that it returns to the thrower. —When thrown with the specific target in mind and technique, a boomerang will follow a curved flight path and ultimately come back to the person who threw it!
Having said that, metaphorically and biblically a boomerang, can describe situations or actions that have a way of coming back to the person who initiated them. Just like a boomerang, wicked behaviors such as gossip and misplaced respect turned ugly can have unintended consequences, eventually returning to impact and with more force on the person who engaged in it first off.
Take a look.
2 Peter 2:13 (MSG)
Their evil will boomerang on them. They’re so despicable and addicted to pleasure that they indulge in wild parties, carousing in broad daylight.
This means that everything that was hidden in the dark will be revealed: every unsavory behavior, corruption, lie, every evil, and wicked slanderous intention will shine a spotlight on that which is done in secret, and people who appear to be good and godly will be shown for their secrets,” says the Lord.
God Bless you.
Much love,
Sister Christine
C. Beach ©️