A wise man once told me that any type of gossip could be considered as verbal pornography. At first, I was taken back by this sentiment. How could someone compare simple words uttered by a frustrated human to the disgusting image of pornography which destroyed various parts of society?
Then, I started reflecting on this statement and started making connections between the two, especially in relation to my life.
Before getting to my reasoning behind why gossip is plaguing our world for the worse, it is important to shed light on the characteristics the two share. So, what is it about pornography that draws men and women into a downward spiral toward rock bottom? Pornography shows a perfected, morphed view of sexuality that becomes an addiction to those weak in the flesh. In reality, though, this perfected view is just a smoke screen for the genuine individuals who lie behind it. This smoke screen degrades people into being a meaningless object without feelings rather than creatures formed in the womb by the Creator.
Society latches on to these broken pleasures, and they become the source of their joy, peace and relief. People then start to expect this same smoke screen from others around them. Unfortunately, that just doesn't happen. The truth is that pornography ruins families. It destroys churches. It dismantles friendships. It leaves everyone feeling alone, unloved and violated.
Isn't it so interesting how gossip does the same thing? It's an addiction that has been so normalized, it has become a part of human nature. It degrades the individual and puts a smoke screen up in front of them in order to fit the desires of the gossiper, whether positive or negative. This gossip morphs the image of the unique creation and leaves them alone, unloved and violated.
If I was a betting man, I would say that you've already thought about several times when someone has gossiped about you and smeared your reputation. You might have even thought of an instance when you defaced the image of a person out of spite. As a 20-something, I can name numerous occasions where I have been on both sides of this coin. I've also seen it completely maim relationships, friendships and ministry.
In ministry, especially, gossip is exactly what the devil wants to infiltrate the work we do. Instead of seeing each other as broken individuals made whole in the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, we are pinned against each other in a "king of the rock" struggle for respect. Who wants to be a part of a community that is at each others' necks all the time?
So, what do relationships, friendships and ministry look like without gossip? They look a whole lot like the relationship Jesus has with us. It's true; we're absolutely broken. We aren't perfect by a long shot. This fact is important to realize because we can then live ia life of absolute forgiveness, just as Christ did with us.
We see the mistakes and repentance of others soaked in the blood of Christ. After all, doesn't His blood cover a multitude of sins?
Gossip truly is verbal pornography. Its ugly face has been reared in every aspect of our society. This plague is breaking down the world as we know it. What is there left to do but fix our eyes on Christ who has made us whole in His blood?
