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Proverbs 11:13

¹³Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Gossip and slander are powerfully seductive temptations. They hold the greatest power over those who lack confidence in their place in God. By putting down another, person it is wrongly believed that we exalt our self. By sharing another's secrets, we think we impress others with our inside knowledge. In reality, we are warning people not to confide in us.

One of the first things that we must learn as men and women of faith is our position in Jesus Christ. When we realize how much we are loved, the place in heaven that is ours, and all that we possess in Jesus, we no longer need to go about trying to obtain the respect of man. We are secure and at peace, and our behavior is in accordance with what we believe by faith. We value the souls of those that confide in us, and know how destructive sharing their secrets could be. Our lips are guarded by our fear of the LORD and our love for one another.

Those that gossip are seeking to impress people to gain their respect. It may gain the respect of those in darkness, but not from the children of light. The trustworthy soul knows the motivations behind slander and gossip and knows them to be a trap.

Consider: If you struggle with slander or gossip, take a few months of your life to meditate on who you are in Christ. The letter to the Ephesians is a good place to start. Go through it slowly making notes on who the letter declares believers to be. "In Jesus I am '" Then review it daily, considering what it means to your soul each day. You will find your acceptance in Jesus eliminates the need to impress others.