Ouch, that hurt!

Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Certainly, you have felt the deep injury of a gossiper's careless words. You have confided in one who has passed on your secret and feel isolated out on a limb while their words cut at the base of the branch.

Why do people we consider as friends, family or Christian brothers bear tales about others? It all comes back to one thing, the pride of life. When we talk about someone in a bad light, we are trying to express our superiority to that person. The implication is, "I wouldn't do that," "I am better than that," etc.

Know that when you have been wounded by a gossiper, they are the one with the problem, not you. The cream always rises to the top. God always vindicates His own. And remember that the things which are said about you put you in some good company. Jesus was falsely accused, lied about, betrayed and hung on a cross. Yet history vindicates the Savior and vilifies those who did Him wrong.

The thing is that the Lord knows the truth about you. Admittedly, that truth may not always be pretty, but He knows all about us, and loves us anyway.

To be on the short end of the gossip is hurtful, but to be the talebearer is to be the one who needs pity.