🕊️ PRAY HERE Devotion 🕊️ “Gossip Is Not Good!”
Scripture: Numbers 12:1–4 (KJV)
Verse 1: “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.”
Verse 2: “And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.”
Verse 3: “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
Verse 4: “And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.”
Devotion
Have you ever found out that somebody was talking about you behind your back? And not just anybody, but somebody you loved, trusted, or considered close to you?! WHEWWWWW! 😮💨 It’s one thing when strangers have something to say about you, but when it’s your own family or people you thought were for you, THAT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF HURT! My, my, my! Today, we’re going to talk about something that has destroyed friendships, divided families, and caused problems in churches and workplaces for generations. GOSSIP! AND GOSSIP IS NOT GOOD!
Let’s read today’s Scripture together! In Numbers 12, we find Moses’ very own siblings, MIRIAM AND AARON, SPEAKING AGAINST HIM! Now, wait a minute! 👀 These weren’t strangers! These were his brother and sister! They had witnessed how God was using Moses to lead the Israelites. But instead of supporting their brother, they began speaking against him because of the woman he married. And then in verse 2, they asked whether God had spoken only through Moses and not through them also. OOOOOOEW WEEEEE! THERE IT IS! 🙌🏽 Their words revealed that this wasn’t just about Moses’ marriage. There was also a question of his position and the unique way God was speaking through him! SOMETIMES WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT ISN’T REALLY WHAT’S BOTHERING THEM!
Now, let’s talk about why people gossip! Sometimes it’s jealousy. Sometimes it’s insecurity. Sometimes it’s resentment because somebody else received an opportunity, recognition, or responsibility they wanted for themselves. And sometimes people simply enjoy having something to say about somebody else’s life! MY, MY, MY! 😮💨 Have you ever noticed how a conversation can start with, “NOW, I AIN’T TRYING TO TALK ABOUT NOBODY, BUT…” 😂 Well, if you have to start it like that, maybe you need to reconsider what you’re about to say! EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT SOMEBODY DOES NOT NEED TO BECOME A CONVERSATION! And everything you hear about somebody doesn’t need to be repeated!
And here’s something else! MOSES DIDN’T HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WRONG FOR HIS OWN SIBLINGS TO SPEAK AGAINST HIM! The Scripture describes Moses as an exceptionally humble man. Yet he still became the subject of criticism and conversation! Whewwwww! Sometimes people will talk about you because they don’t understand you. Sometimes because they disagree with your decisions. And sometimes because they’re uncomfortable with what God is doing in your life! Imagine being faithful in your assignment, minding your business, and discovering that people close to you are questioning why YOU have been chosen to do it! BUT SOMEBODY ELSE’S JEALOUSY DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO STOP DOING WHAT GOD CALLED YOU TO DO! 🙌🏽🔥
Now, let’s bring this home! You get promoted at work, and suddenly the coworkers who used to eat lunch with you are whispering about why you got the position. You begin serving in a new ministry assignment, and somebody starts questioning whether you’re qualified. Or maybe you make a personal decision that somebody in your family doesn’t agree with, and instead of talking TO you, they start talking ABOUT you! MY, MY, MY! And let’s be clear: not every disagreement is gossip, and not everybody who questions something is jealous. But when we begin discussing people’s personal business, spreading assumptions, or tearing down their character behind their backs, WE HAVE CROSSED A LINE! If there’s a legitimate concern, there are respectful ways to address it without turning it into gossip.
And before we finish, I want us to examine ourselves too! 👀 Because it’s easy to recognize gossip when we’re the ones being talked about. BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN WE’RE THE ONES DOING THE TALKING?! Whewwwww! Have you ever repeated something about somebody without knowing whether it was true? Have you ever joined a conversation because everybody else was talking? Have you ever listened to somebody tear another person down and never once tried to change the subject? WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON’T BECOME PARTICIPANTS IN THE VERY THING WE DON’T WANT DONE TO US! And here’s something worth remembering: JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS TRUE DOESN’T MEAN IT’S YOUR BUSINESS TO TELL! OOOOOOEW WEEEEE! 🙌🏽
Now, there’s something in today’s Scripture that I want you to pay very close attention to. At the end of verse 2, after Miriam and Aaron had been speaking against Moses, the Bible says, “And the LORD heard it.” MY, MY, MY! 😮💨 THE LORD HEARD THE CONVERSATION! And in verse 4, God called Moses, Aaron, and Miriam together! We’re going to stop right there today, because tomorrow we’re going to see HOW GOD RESPONDED TO WHAT HE HEARD! But for now, let this be our reminder: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT PEOPLE, AND DON’T ALLOW GOSSIP TO BECOME PART OF YOUR CHARACTER! You don’t have to participate in every conversation, repeat every rumor, or give your opinion about everybody’s life. LET’S BE PEOPLE WHO ENCOURAGE OTHERS INSTEAD OF TEARING THEM DOWN! HALLELUJAH TO OUR LORD! 🙌🏽💙
✍🏽 Reflect & Respond
Have I ever participated in gossip because I was jealous, upset, or simply wanted to be included in a conversation?
When somebody begins talking negatively about another person, do I join in or choose not to participate?
Have I allowed what somebody said about me to distract me from what God has called me to do?
TODAY’S QUESTION:
IF THE PERSON I’M TALKING ABOUT WALKED INTO THE ROOM, WOULD I BE COMFORTABLE REPEATING WHAT I JUST SAID?
Today, be intentional about your conversations. Don’t spread rumors, don’t entertain unnecessary gossip, and don’t allow jealousy or resentment to influence the way you speak about others.
IF YOU CAN’T HELP SOMEBODY WITH YOUR WORDS, DON’T USE THEM TO HURT THEM! 🙌🏽
🙏🏽 Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the wisdom it gives me. Lord, please help me be mindful of the things I say and the conversations I participate in. Forgive me for the times I’ve spoken about others when I should have remained silent or shown compassion. Remove jealousy, resentment, and bitterness from my heart. Help me never to tear somebody down because of what You’ve chosen to do in their life. And Father, when others speak against me, help me respond with wisdom and humility instead of anger and retaliation. Guard my heart, guide my tongue, and help me become someone whose words encourage, strengthen, and bring peace. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen. 🙏🏽💙
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