Dear Reader,

July 13, 2026

Let’s talk about gossip.

As women, gossip can be one of the hardest sins to overcome. I know it has been for me. Over the past few months, God has been teaching me just how serious it really is. I recently heard someone describe gossip as “murder in the spirit,” and that hit me hard. When we gossip about our friends, family, neighbors, or even strangers, we can damage their reputation, spread lies or half-truths, and deeply wound them. Whether we realize it or not, our words have consequences.

This has been a difficult lesson for me because I’ve had to recognize that while people have gossiped about my life as if it were entertainment, I have also been guilty of talking about other people’s lives. That realization was humbling. Instead of only focusing on the hurt others caused me, God showed me where I also needed to repent. None of us are exempt from this struggle.

I don’t want to contribute to hurting people anymore. I don’t want someone else’s pain, mistakes, or personal life to become entertainment. During a recent Bible study with some wonderful women, we talked about how easily gossip begins. Someone shares something personal in confidence. That story gets repeated to another person. Details change. Assumptions get added. Before long, rumors spread, reputations are damaged, relationships are broken, and lives can be changed forever.

The Bible has a lot to say about the power of our words. James 3 reminds us that the tongue is small, yet it can set an entire forest on fire. Proverbs tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words can build someone up, or they can tear someone down. They can bring healing, or they can become a weapon.

The beautiful part is that the same mouth that can destroy also has the ability to speak life. We confess Jesus with our mouths. We encourage others. We pray. We share the gospel. Words are incredibly powerful because they reveal what is in our hearts.

So the next time you’re tempted to gossip, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Would I want someone saying this about me? Is what I’m about to say loving, necessary, and honoring to God? If not, change the conversation. Speak life instead of destruction. Protect people’s reputations instead of tearing them down.

Following Jesus means allowing Him to transform not only our actions, but also our conversations. And sometimes, one of the greatest acts of love is simply choosing not to repeat what you know.

Love always,

Kelsey