Are you a "real housewife?"

Try to ask and answer this question honestly:  Am I constantly talking about other people and their "stuff?"  Whether it's "discussing" your brother's marriage with your mother or "trying to help" a girlfriend by analyzing her parenting style with a mutual friend, gossip and its ugly counterpart slander, most likely, have far too much room in your daily conversations. Without a doubt, one of the most obvious examples of  modern-day gossip are the "Real Housewives" shows.  Recently I watched a good portion of one of the "Beverly Hills" episodes and was struck by the incessant gossip, backbiting, dishonesty and slander.  Nearly every scene contained one woman talking bad about another woman in one way or another.

Now I fully realize that these shows wouldn't exist without this behavior; that's the draw.   However, as Christians, the Bible is clear that this type of talk is sin in God's eyes and we are to refrain from it.  Consider the following verses before you next open your mouth about anyone:

• Proverbs 26:20 - Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
• Proverbs 16:28 - A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
• Proverbs 25:23 - As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
• Proverbs 11:13; 20:19 - A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence...so don’t hang around with chatterers.
• Psalm 15:1-3 - Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?  Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

Remember, God honors those who refuse to speak poorly about anyone.