Well, if you clicked on this link because of the title “some juicy gossip” then firstly, shame on you! — for perpetuating the cycle of gossip! And secondly, you have successfully been duped because you’ll find no gossip here…mwa ha ha haa.

Don’t leave. Please don’t leave…

…

But seriously, let’s talk about gossip…

Our Mondayitis! series has come to an epic conclusion with the famous passage in James 2 about faith and works. If we’d had a couple of weeks more, I would have loved to spend some time delving into James 3 where he talks about taming the tongue.

The way we use our words, especially when it comes to gossip, can be a huge issue in the workplace or schoolyard (and in church for that matter!).

I was talking to someone at the Living Room a couple of months back who found it a real struggle how people talked at his workplace. He didn’t want to share in malicious conversations, but he didn’t want to be excluded either.

James uses some pretty evocative imagery regarding the power of gossip. For example, he talks about ships:

“Although ships are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”

Perhaps a comparable image today is the car. Power steering means I can turn and control a large vehicle many times my weight — with my finger (technically two hands at 10 and 2 o’clock!). James is saying it’s like that in the relationship between our tongues and our bodies. What we say has significant influence over who we are and how we act!

Our words shape us as people over time. For a pungent example, look to the U.S. where Donald Trump is continuing to gain support. It’s no mistake that Trump rallies became violent events — the language he uses gives permission to that sort of behaviour. The way he talks about people — for example Muslims or Mexicans — justifies and validates racial prejudices and stereotypes. Suddenly those people become defined by those blanket labels. And if someone is reduced to a derogatory label, it becomes much easier to view them as less than human. #MakeDonaldDrumpfAgain

Language. It’s a powerful thing.

And the Church recognises this. In fact, it’s at the very heart of our faith: the Word became flesh. All throughout scripture, when God speaks things happen. In Jesus, God’s Word has forever taken form among us and is actively reconciling the world.

Which is why in the Reformed tradition (of which we are a part), worship and the sermon are so central. In worship and in the sermon, we hear again God’s Word spoken to us. We receive a new language to live by. And this language starts to form us and shape us. It takes on flesh. We move from becoming individuals to becoming a loving community.

If gossip seeks to break down community, then the language we receive in scripture and in prayer builds up and forms community.

…so what do we do about gossipy conversations in the workplace or the schoolyard? Well, perhaps the question is less should I participate or not, but more how can I speak God’s word of love into this situation?

How can God’s Word become flesh in this moment?

Aronhanui,

Jordan