talk about conviction

James 1:26 (New International Version)

²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.


I work with a lot of women. Mostly women in fact. Now it's a well known fact that women are gossipy and often mean, but my work place is exceptionally gossipy. It's crazy.

When I started there, I swore I would not fall into the trap of gossip. I mean, first of all, it's wrong. But also - I don't like drama at work and gossip causes drama. And if those people are talking about everyone else, Lord knows they're talking about you too. So why contribute to it?

But....

I am a girl. And I'm a girl who really enjoys gossip. Yes, it's wrong. But it's true. I like it. So 5 weeks after starting there, I'm noticing myself being rather quick to jump into the gossipy conversations with my opinion of whatever or whoever they're talking about. I'm feeling a bit guilty, but brush it off, b/c it's easier to ignore the guilt, then to deal with my gossip issue.

Until....

Last Wednesday night I'm at church. I go to this Bible Study down in Naples, with my wonderful friend Cherie. We're doing a study called 8 choices that will change a woman's life (http://www.amazon.com/Choices-That-Will-Change-Womans/dp/1582293511/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268696812&sr=8-1) and we were talking about the choice to speak wisely or foolishly. I did not have my book yet, so had no idea what we were discussing. Actually...come to think of it...I still don't have my book. Meant to order it on Amazon and got distracted. Such is life lol.

Ok anyways....

Like the first verse we read is James 1:26.. Awesome verse. My heart felt so heavy right then and there. I mean serious conviction. The girls at work know I go to church. They know I claim to be a Christian. And here I am running my mouth just like they are. Not saying much for God now am I? So I decided right there to make an effort to stop talking about others. I also decided to try and make sure the words that come out of my mouth are kind - even when they are words of correction. BAsically, if it's not true, kind, or necessary it does not need to come out of my mouth.

This is not an easy task. Like I said - not only am I a girl - I also enjoy gossip. And sometimes I am unnecessarily harsh when talking to others. I have gotten better about stopping myself from gossiping, but of course things still pop out from time to time. It's only been like 5 days lol. But it's becoming easier to get up and walk away when others are gossiping around me. If I'm in a situation where I can't leave, I try to sit quietly and not participate. It's not easy, but I feel good b/c I know I'm trying to do what is right.