A Most Devastating Sin - July 6 Readings: 1 Chronicles 3-5, Acts 8:26–40, Psalm 78:68–72, Proverbs 16:27–29

Links to July 6 Readings: 1 Chronicles 3-5, Acts 8:26–40, Psalm 78:68–72, Proverbs16:27–29

The story is told of a man in medieval times who went to a priest to confess to him the sin of gossip and rumor-mongering. The priest thanked him for his confession and as an act of penance asked him to go through the little village in which they lived and place a white feather by the front door of every home. He did, then returned to speak to the priest. "What should I do now?" he asked.

"Now," the priest responded. "You must return to each of those homes and retrieve the feather. The man was shocked. There was no way he could retrieve all of the feathers, as they would have been blown all over the area by then. It was impossible.

The priest looked at him. "So it is with gossip. Though you may repent, the damage can often never be undone."

Of course, we are glad that we do not actually have to go to priests to seek forgiveness nor do penance to earn it. And though I have no idea if the story is true, it makes a powerful point. Gossip is a pernicious and destructive thing and is responsible for much evil in families and in the church.

When we think of terrible sins, we ignore that one. We think of murder, adultery, homosexuality, abuse and certain criminal behaviors. Gossip is a respectable sin, one we can commit with abandon and impunity within the church and not fear discipline or be called to repentance. But it is a great evil. Solomon knew this and in Proverbs 16:28, he says,

A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends. 

All of the terrible sins mentioned above have devastating consequences, but gossip is as destructive as any of them. In fact, James says that learning to control the tongue is the primary marker of a mature Christian. Only by the power of Christ can we control our tongues.

Father, I have committed this sin as much as any others, and for that I repent. Help me to remember how evil this sin is and how devastating it is to relationships, to fellowship and unity, and how offensive it is to you.