Over the last few weeks, we have talked about the obstacles the enemy uses to keep us from making an impact for Christ and from acting on our divine burdens. Some are very obvious, such as criticism and threats from others. Other obstacles are more subtle, such as fatigue and distractions that come our way. In our Bible study today, we are going to look at another obstacle that keeps us from acting on our divine burdens, as Nehemiah also faced: gossip. The gossip of others can threaten us as we seek to make an impact for Christ. It can also tempt us to gossip if we are not careful.
As Nehemiah inched closer to finishing his project of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, opposition after opposition came. In our Bible study yesterday, we saw in Nehemiah 4 that Nehemiah's enemies, who did not want to see the walls rebuilt, tried to distract him by asking him to meet with them. Despite their efforts, Nehemiah was unrelenting. He explained that he was focused on rebuilding its walls and that he would not meet with them. When their attempt to distract him failed, Nehemiah’s enemies switched tactics, choosing to gossip about him and engage him in that gossip. Nehemiah writes that one of his enemies, Sanballat, sent him a letter that said, “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations…that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are rebuilding the wall” (verse 6). The letter also added that there were reports that Nehemiah planned to be king (verse 6). Now, Nehemiah could have been deterred and distracted by this gossip, worried about its implications. He could have responded to this gossip with more gossip about his enemies. Instead, he remained clearheaded and focused on his task of finishing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. He simply said, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing” (verse 8). Amidst gossip about him and temptation to engage in that gossip, Nehemiah remained undeterred, dismissing the gossip and continuing his work of leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.
Nehemiah's refusal to engage in or respond to gossip is a remarkable example for us to follow. Engaging in or responding to gossip will lead us nowhere good. It will keep us from making progress in doing something about the divine burdens God has placed on our hearts. Solomon warns against gossip in Proverbs 25, saying, "As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!" (verse 23). Gossiping will never lead anywhere good. As a result, we should stay far away from it, refusing even to engage with it or be part of it.
My friend, gossip will always lead us down a dangerous, distracting path, keeping us from focusing on the divine burdens God has called us to act on. Let's commit to being people who refuse to engage with it. With Nehemiah's resolve, let's turn away from gossip and keep focused on the great work God has called us to.
Commit today to paying attention to the temptations around you to hear or engage in gossip. When these temptations come, commit to turning away from gossip. Don’t forget to ask God to help you as you seek to do this.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things
and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4 Remove the impurities from silver,
and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
8 don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9 When arguing with your neighbor,
don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 Timely advice is lovely,
like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.
14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.
16 Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.
18 Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.[a]
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25 Good news from far away
is like cold water to the thirsty.
26 If the godly give in to the wicked,
it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27 It’s not good to eat too much honey,
and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28 A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls.
