"Not slanderers"

Titus 2:3-5- "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

The next part of these verses that we will be dissecting is the "no slanderers" part. 
The definition of a slanderer is "a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report".  Basically a liar and a gossip. 

Let me just tell you from my own experience that gossipping just should not be done.  I've been the one to gossip about others and I've been gossiped about.  It hurts if you are being gossiped about, even if its the truth being told.  And if you are the one gossipping, even if it never gets back to you (although most times it does) you loose your integrity in the eyes of the one that you are gossipping to, even if they don't come out and say it directly.  They begin to see that you are not a trustworthy person.  I've learned this the hard way and have learned my lesson well. 

Now I pride myself on keeping my friends confidences.  I enjoy being the one that they can come to to vent no matter what it is and keeping it just between us.  I have learned whom I can trust when I want to confide in someone and I have been very selective with who I choose as a friend now.  Being picky has brought me meaningful relationships in the long run. 

God is so serious about this because its one of Satan's easiest tools to split a church and split good friendships.  The bible is full of verses about this.  You can go to Biblegateway.com to search for yourself.  I picked this verse today which is in Proverbs 26:22:

"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" 

We are so enticed by gossip as women that its like chocolate to us.  Sure it tastes good in our mouths but it goes inside of us and stirs up dissension and makes us sick.  Our views change and our reputation changes. 

The only way to stay away from it is to see it coming.  I'm sure you know the people in your lives that enjoy gossip.  Heck, the world says its a great thing.  There is even a TV show all about it!  But we are not of this world right?  For me I need to stay away from gossip magazines as well as people that I know are willing to say "I enjoy a good piece of gossip".  It's not easy, but it's biblical. 

Lord, I confess where I've been a slanderer.  I've lied and I've gossiped and I've hurt people I care about.  I want to be different.  I don't want to be known as someone who likes gossip.  Help me recognize the lie from Satan when it comes near me.  Help me to stand firm on the knowledge of Your word.