The Gossips by Daniel Ridgway Knight
“My idea of good company… is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.’
‘You are mistaken,’ said he gently, that is not good company, that is the best.”
~ Jane Austen, Persuasion
Ah… good company, nothing is like it! The biblical term for this pleasure would be “fellowship” and it is something we are all encouraged to participate in. However, there is a danger in certain types of fellowship for it can foster poor conversation and our words which are so easily said, hold a lot of weight in our Creator’s eyes.
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”~ Matthew 12:36-37
Such sobering words! What is a daughter of the King to do? A solution I have personally found helpful is learning ”how not to gossip” by learning. Study items of interest to a Proverbs 31 woman (along with the Scriptures, of course). Some examples are the arts of homemaking, gardening, nutrition, health, history, science, midwifery, herbal healing and so forth. The more practical knowledge we acquire, the more thoughtful our conversation will become. We will be offering our companions more than idle talk, our words will have the sweetness of something called *substance*. How refreshing!
Afternoon Tea (or The Gossips) by Sir John Everett Millais
When we discuss interesting topics, we are less likely to speak of gossip in the church, complain about of our current lives (husbands, friends, etc.) and any other subject of slander. When when apply ourselves in this manner, we will truly be “good company” and worthy of the One we claim to represent!
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation…” ~ 1 Peter 1:15
Les noisettes by William Adolphe Bouguereau
Oh ladies, let us learn about things and become informative followers of God! Let our words edify and benefit those around us. Let us enhance the lives we come in contact with. Whatever it is that God has called of interest to you, bloom in that area and let your presence be a blessing to those who surround you!
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” ~ Proverbs 31:26
+by+Jennie+Augusta+Brownscombe.jpg)
- Maidens in the Wheatfield by Jennie Brownscombe
- “Dear girls, I plead for sincerity in speech. “Do not yield to the passion for miserable gossip which is so common. Talk about things, not people. Do not malign or backbite your absent friend. What is friendship worth if the moment the person is out of sight the tongue that has professed affection becomes a poisoned fang, and the lips which gave their warm kiss utter the word of ridicule, or sneer, or aspersion? Better be dumb than have the gift of speech to be used in the miserable idle words, insincerities, and backbitings too common in modern society. Surely something better can be found to talk about; if not, utter silence is more heaven-like. A stupid girl who cannot talk at all is better far than a chattering girl who can talk of nothing good or useful.
- Find thou always time to say some earnest word between the idle talk.”
- ~ J.R. Miller (Emphasis in bold is mine.)
What interests has God put into your heart to cultivate for His glory?
JES has been the wife to her “one and only” for 15 years and is a homeschooling mother who embraces her role as “keeper at home”. She still has so much to learn but loves every minute of it!
Her passion to promote Biblical womanhood through godly examples in history is shared at Heroines of the Faith, where the past meets the present. Her desire to give inspiration and ideas about homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading is shared at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.
Linked-Up with the blogs listed in the sidebar AND with Consider the Lilies Homemaking Link-Up, Big Family Friday, Friday Homemaking Link-up!, and Beautiful Thursdays!
~ Jacqueline
Thank you, thank you for having the courage to speak up against gossip, which truly is one of the most prevalent and hurtful plagues in the church. It saddens me to think of all those, not just I, who have been deeply hurt by poisoned tongues. A tongue has great power…and it is difficult to use it for good, not evil.
There are few things so refreshing to me as a truly substantive conversation. That is fellowship! I love to speak about life in general, all the simple everyday things that make it what it is. And a rule I’ve adopted is not to speak about people at all…too easy to fall into the trap of negative speech.
May God bless you, dear Jacqueline and JES. Such encouragement to know there are others who flee from gossip.
Thank you for sharing Petra! I agree with you! The simple, everyday things in life are *wonderful* and are worth talking about
Why waste words on subjects that bring shame to our Creator when there are so many conversations that can bring glory? Have a wonderful week!
Brilliant post! I love the quote by J R Miller
Ah, yes… J.R. Miller is a favorite of mine. His words hold great truth and truly impact, what a blessing still after so many years!
Oh the tongue can be so dangerous, or so helpful!
Thanks for the post!
So true! How many verses in the Scriptures speak of taming the tongue! It is the most powerful weapon we have which can be used for evil (the easiest way) or for furthering the Kingdom of God… Thank you for sharing here today
JES
Thanks for a very good reminder! and practical ways to combat!
It does help to have a practical game plan, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing here today
Yes, that is so very important! Whenever I talk with my sisters or parents, we talk about things: books, gardens, ideas, and more. Talking with them is invigorating.
When I talk with others, there is so seldom anything to talk about except people and, following my mother’s example, I rarely do that. So there’s not much to say.
I grew up in a gossip-free household; I didn’t realize how wonderful until I started spending time with people who gossip. Gossip is truly a horrible poison.
Excellent post and encouragement! Thank you for sharing at WJIM this week. Blessings to you.