gossip

I wonder about gossip and the trouble it causes. So many do it and think nothing of it. Proverbs 26:20 " Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." The writer of Proverbs is saying just like a fire goes out when there is no wood so does strife cease when there is no talebearer. There are many verses about the words we speak, good and bad. Gossip ends on the bad side of the list. Good words tend to encourage, build up. edify. Gossip seems to do the opposite. Where do we or should we draw the line between gossip and just having a conversation? Do the words put someone in a bad light or a good light. Do they build up or tear down. Conversation is necessary with others to pass on info. As I was looking into this subject the words I read were words like slander, bear false witness, sowing discord, speak evil, whisperer, careless words. I have at many times said things I regret and wish I could take back.
   The opposite would be kind words, words that build up, encourage, uplift. Look to these things the Bible tells us, things of good report. Philippians 4:84" Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Quite a contrast and there would be less strife in our world. In another place  the Bible tells us to speak evil of no one. I sometimes doubt many politicians read these scriptures. I wonder how our elections would go if people running for office would practice this? Would we be better informed about what they plan on working for? Makes you wonder if a Christian can even run for political office, because we see so much negativity and slander in any important race.  After saying that, there are no perfect Christians. If someone slandered me in a political race, would I so easily be able to forget all the cruel things said? This was not intended to be a political blog. Sometimes I ramble on.  God bless, LVZ.