Gossip: No ‘Mynah’ Problem

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Gossip: No ‘Mynah’ Problem
Friends, immense pain can be caused by passing on hurtful remarks. And whether or not the intent to do harm is present, the result is likely to be the same. To illustrate the damage gossip does, I’d like you to consider the fact that a couple in Shanghai, China, is in the process of getting a divorce. Why? Well, the reason is, the woman was convinced her husband was having an affair simply because of the chattering she heard from the couple’s pet mynah bird. It was using words such as “I love you,” “be patient,” and “divorce” - particularly following the ringing of the telephone. Friends, I have no idea about the merits of the case or the likelihood of the bird getting to testify in court. However, the thing I am certain about is that human tongues have spread more pain and miser than talking birds. And we have the rational powers that can warn us of the harm of speaking too freely or carelessly. Yes, there are occasional situations in which an unflattering truth about another must be spoken. But we are too quick to hide behind “It’s the truth!” when telling something we know could be better left unspoken. In a fascinating commentary on an event in the life of Abraham, Jewish rabbis pointed out that God himself refused to pass along potentially hurtful words from another person. The situation they were referring to was when three strangers visited the camp of Abraham and Sarah, and promised the couple a child within a year. Sarah heard their words and laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12) The rabbis were impressed by what the Lord did not say in reporting the essence of Sarah’s statement. He left out the comment about Abraham’s advanced age-words that could have caused resentment to pass from a husband to his wife. He simply has Sarah asking, “Will I really have a child, not that I am old?” (Genesis 18:13) Friends, when we consider the diplomacy of Jesus, it appears to me that most people would benefit from the Four-Way Test of the Rotary Club: is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It also seems to me, that if God himself was kind enough to leave some things left unsaid in his report of Sarah’s shocked reaction to Abraham, perhaps we should be more thoughtful with our words. As James wrote in James 3:6, “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person…” Those words are an impressive reminder to us that destructive words are savage weapons, not just mynah indiscretions. Because, just as picking a flower to pieces, petal by petal, will destroy its beauty, so the morbid dissection of another’s character, by whispering and gossip, may shatter their reputation and destroy their happiness. Friends, if gossip is a problem for you, or someone you know, just write to me for a FREE booklet that can help people to control criticism. The booklet is titled “TONGUE CONTROL.” Email me or write to me at P.O Box 1540, Albany W.A 6331. Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418

Friends, immense pain can be caused by passing on hurtful remarks. And whether or not the intent to do harm is present, the result is likely to be the same.

To illustrate the damage gossip does, I’d like you to consider the fact that a couple in Shanghai, China, is in the process of getting a divorce. Why? Well, the reason is, the woman was convinced her husband was having an affair simply because of the chattering she heard from the couple’s pet mynah bird. It was using words such as “I love you,” “be patient,” and “divorce” - particularly following the ringing of the telephone.

Friends, I have no idea about the merits of the case or the likelihood of the bird getting to testify in court. However, the thing I am certain about is that human tongues have spread more pain and miser than talking birds. And we have the rational powers that can warn us of the harm of speaking too freely or carelessly.

Yes, there are occasional situations in which an unflattering truth about another must be spoken. But we are too quick to hide behind “It’s the truth!” when telling something we know could be better left unspoken.

In a fascinating commentary on an event in the life of Abraham, Jewish rabbis pointed out that God himself refused to pass along potentially hurtful words from another person. The situation they were referring to was when three strangers visited the camp of Abraham and Sarah, and promised the couple a child within a year.

Sarah heard their words and laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12) The rabbis were impressed by what the Lord did not say in reporting the essence of Sarah’s statement. He left out the comment about Abraham’s advanced age-words that could have caused resentment to pass from a husband to his wife. He simply has Sarah asking, “Will I really have a child, not that I am old?” (Genesis 18:13)

Friends, when we consider the diplomacy of Jesus, it appears to me that most people would benefit from the Four-Way Test of the Rotary Club: is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

It also seems to me, that if God himself was kind enough to leave some things left unsaid in his report of Sarah’s shocked reaction to Abraham, perhaps we should be more thoughtful with our words. As James wrote in James 3:6, “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person…”

Those words are an impressive reminder to us that destructive words are savage weapons, not just mynah indiscretions. Because, just as picking a flower to pieces, petal by petal, will destroy its beauty, so the morbid dissection of another’s character, by whispering and gossip, may shatter their reputation and destroy their happiness.

Friends, if gossip is a problem for you, or someone you know, just write to me for a FREE booklet that can help people to control criticism. The booklet is titled “TONGUE CONTROL.”

Email me
or write to me at
P.O Box 1540,
Albany W.A 6331.

Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418