Most of us are scared to death of snakes and especially, poisonous snakes. Well, the thought occurred to me that there is a snake that poisons everybody, it topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, damages reputations, causes heartaches, produces indigestion, spawns suspicion, generates grief and makes innocent people cry into their pillows.

Even its name hisses. It is called GOSSIP! Office gossip, shop gossip, family gossip, church gossip. It makes headlines and heartaches.

Before you repeat a story ask yourself?
1. Is it true?
2. Is it helpful?
3. Is it necessary?

And if not, please keep it to yourself!

The apostle Paul wrote, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,” and “let your speech always be seasoned.” James said, “Be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to hear.”