As I have written before, I love the New York Post’s “Page Six” gossip column. I don’t know why — I actually could care less what entertainment types do in their private lives. But I find myself everyday opening to Page Six (though not on page 6 of the newspaper) and reading all about the last scoop.
Gossiping is wrong and it is prohibited by the Eighth Commandment. We are to speak well of our neighbor and should never put anyone in a bad light. Gossiping does just that, whether it be good or bad “news.”
But why do I love “Page Six?” Why do I always fall to that temptation each day, including today?
I struggle with this sin, as do many of you. I pray for the strength to keep this sin as bay and hope that when tomorrow comes, I can flip past “Page Six” and the other gossip columnists at the Post.
There seems to be a tendancy that many people have to blab about others, especially when they do something that is perceived to be wrong. However, this goes deeper — what about those whom we don’t like? We tend to think and say bad things about that person, regardless of the accuracy of our opinions or our pronouncements. There is a pure viciousness to this sin. I know I have experienced this in my life, even in my life as pastor. Lies become truth in the minds of those gossip mongers, and they spread these angry hate-filled lies as a way of making others look bad and themselves look righteous.
This is violation of the Eighth Commandment. Plain and simple, when anyone acts in this way they are spitting on the commandments in a most vile way. They are violating the decency of a good Christian life and should fall under church discipline.
I know this sounds harsh. But it really isn’t. When people engage in this type of viciousness against another person, they need to be told of their failures and be called to repentance.