Malicious gossip (churches, believe, prayer, sin)

[waiting]

There is a weapon which is just as dangerous and hurtful as a baseball bat.
When a person spreads untrue gossip around about a new neighbor, new employee, new kid in school, etc. When people haven't gotten the chance to know anything about the new person; and the gossip has a ax to grind and uses their susposed "knowledge" about the newbie and spreads gossip.

I was always taught that one should not let malicious gossip poision their
interaction with the newbie. Obviously this is " old school " since I rarely see anyone reserve judgement until s/he can learn for him/herself about whether the gossip is true.

Has anyone sucessfully overcome with prayer a malicious gossip?
This person is dangerous to everyone, as they will turn on anyone that doesn't go with them 100%.
Have you been unjured by such a evil person ?

[Tricky D]

I dunno. I don't care when people talk about me.
There is no such thing as bad publicity and I don't mind being the center of attention.
Unless they spread false info about me. Like accuse me of things I haven’t done.
In that case a simple confrontation usually sets them straight.

[waiting]

Originally Posted by Tricky D

I dunno. I don't care when people talk about me.
There is no such thing as bad publicity and I don't mind being the center of attention.
Unless they spread false info about me. Like accuse me of things I haven’t done.
In that case a simple confrontation usually sets them straight.

Tricky, did you read my post all the way thru?
I am talking, specficially, about a situation where the social bully, ie slanderer
has an unfair advantage; NEW neighbor (new is the key word here, new meaning no one knows this NEW person yet except for the slanderer )
NEW employee, NEW kid at school.
And the gossip is a habitual gossip; that means that's what they do.
The followers " go along to get along" because they don't want to be the next target.
They are victims as well, in a sense.
Have you confronted and it made a difference?
I'd like to hear the specfics if it has worked out for you.

[Tricky D]

I only take action when they falsely accuse me. Nothing hurts gossipers more than the truth, because you can't deny it. Those who do often make fools out of themselves.

I am not an easy target for gossip or bullies.
I don't really care what others think of me and I do need to belong to a group to feel secure.
I'm pretty confident all by myself.
I guess I'm not easily victimised.

[waiting]

Originally Posted by Tricky D

I only take action when they falsely accuse me. Nothing hurts gossipers more than the truth, because you can't deny it. Those who do often make fools out of themselves.

I am not an easy target for gossip or bullies.
I don't really care what others think of me and I do need to belong to a group to feel secure.
I'm pretty confident all by myself.
I guess I'm not easily victimised.

Unless I'm mistaken, everyone at one time or other has been victimized or have a loved one that has been victimized by slander.
This is a subject, along with jealousy, that is avoided like the plague in churches.
And yet, Cain killed Abel bc he was jealous!
Everyone is quilty of most sins, at one time or other, but it is the habitual sinner that is a serious problem; christian or non christian.
Such as taking a drink, in moderation is okay for most Christians, but being a drunkard is not.( Being a drunkard is not the unforgiveable sin )
If a person talks about you but doesn't use their gossip as a weapon, then it might be a form of knowledge whereas everyone around is getting to know you ( in the question I presented ) or just grapevine stuff which is not harmful.
But over my life I've known people that were horribly hurt by co-workers, cut throat neighbors or co-workers that keep everyone in line by being a social bully. That's the kind of person I'm talking about ..especially if they consider themselves christians, LOL.

[Miss Blue]

Grsmma taught me a good verse and I have used it a lot..."Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"...Gossipers are rarely believed anyway..The people who like to pass it on are usually not believed either..Prayer allows me to get over almost anything including malicious gossip about myself
...

[waiting]

Originally Posted by blue62

Grsmma taught me a good verse and I have used it a lot..."Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"

Your birth father is connected to you biologically, be thankful for that..If he abused you I would never advise you to have a relationship with him..If you feel the urge to forgive him, send him a note..My prayer is that you can get over the abuse and go on and have a productive happy life, and that the Lord will heal the emotional wounds...
...

Grsmma was right to teach you that on the playground. On the playground it was relevant.
And I was taught as a teenager that a wise person doesn't believe gossip but test the gossip out for his/her self to see if it is true.
Why be a fool and have others do your thinking for you? You have a brain; use it. That was the advice I received.

I have to disagree with you that gossipers are not believed. Obviously, you would not believe gossipers that had a big "LIER "sign over their head, but
most bullies tend to be two faced or have a dark side as well as a nice persona.
So I disagree, most people are intellectually lazy and let others do their thinking for them.

[nebulous1]

Originally Posted by Tricky D

I dunno. I don't care when people talk about me.
There is no such thing as bad publicity and I don't mind being the center of attention.
Unless they spread false info about me. Like accuse me of things I haven’t done.
In that case a simple confrontation usually sets them straight.

Sometimes, you're not in the position of knowing what was said about you, or how it is really affecting your job, etc.
So it isn't always in your power to control things.
It sounds like you haven't had to be concerned about these things.
Most people who have worked know what it is like to have problems with coworkers.

[Tricky D]

Originally Posted by nebulous1

It sounds like you haven't had to be concerned about these things.
Most people who have worked know what it is like to have problems with coworkers.

Oh, I know what it is.
I have had 'problems' with authority figures. Well to be honest authority figures sometimes have a problem with me.
I just don't let no one boss me around, because no one can unless you let them.

[waiting]

Originally Posted by Tricky D

Originally Posted by nebulous1Oh, I know what it is.
I have had 'problems' with authority figures. Well to be honest authority figures sometimes have a problem with me.
I just don't let no one boss me around, because no one can unless you let them.

nebulous, I have to think you're a young person.
Wait until you have many more years and life experiences under your belt.
There are a lot of users and abusers in this world and sometimes in life, people get into positions where they do have people bossing them around.
It could be bad choices but life is not a dress rehearsal so mistakes will be made.
A famous person once said he made a lot of mistakes-just once.
Anyway here's a couple examples: say you do your homework and move into what you think is a great neighborhood.
Everything is fine until one day the couple next door get a divorce and because of dire need sell the house to a new person that happens to be bully.
It happens.
Say you do your homework and get into a job which seems perfect.
The company is sold and before you know it; you're working for a tyrant.
Or a new co-worker is always causing trouble.
Listen, blaming the victim is just plain stupid.
Trouble happens. That's why prayer was invented.