have no business knowing it.
Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:
1. Intent. Gossipers are often struggling with their own issues
and they use gossip to shift the focus off of what is going on within themselves.
They have the goal of building themselves up
by focusing on and passing along harmful or juicy, inaccurate information
on someone else’s shortcomings, embarrassments, and/or tragedies;
although, they cannot back up their claims with facts.
They tend to enjoy making others look bad and exalting themselves as some
kind of repositories of knowledge.
2. The type of information shared. Gossipers speak of the faults
and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or
shameful details regarding the lives of others without their
knowledge or approval.
Some claim they mean no harm,
but it is still gossip.
Gossip can destroy one's reputation.
A gossip cannot be a gossip
without someone who is willing to listen.
Try to avoid gossipers.
If you can't avoid them...
find a way to deflect the situation or make the gossiper aware
of the harmful nature of what they are saying.
Don't give a chronic gossiper the satisfaction
of imparting information to you.
When they try to gossip change the subject or get away from them.
Proverbs 11:13 gives us some straight talk about, loose lips.
"A gossip reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit
conceals a matter."
Let us move away from all of the negativity found in gossipingand focus on something more edifying.
Don't let your careless talk help the enemy.
The dangers of revealing too much information are great.
A careless word can create a needless sinking.
It is best to flip the script and change the topic of the conversation.
Otherwise... it's best to walk away
or explain that you are not interested
in hearing that type of talk.
In order to reach the root of our
Think, speak, think.
Simple and minor infractions in the right channels
can create, when blabbed,
Nobody likes leaks.
You have to ask yourself about the repercussions
of being loose lipped.
Be on guard...
"We fight an enemy that never sleeps."
"Loose lips sink ships"
is an English idiom of American origin
meaning "beware of unguarded talk".
The phrase originated on
propaganda posters during World War II.
"Loose lips sink ships" phrase was coined as a slogan during WWII
as part of the US Office of War Information's attempt to limit the possibility
of people inadvertently giving useful information to enemy spies.
The slogan was actually 'Loose Lips Might Sink Ships.
This was one of several similar slogans which all came under the campaigns basic message -
'Careless Talk Costs Lives'.
It is an admonition to avoid careless talk in general.
Don't talk carelessly
because you don't know who is listening.
We must avoid careless talk.
You never know who is going to hear what you say
and how they will use and twist what they hear.
Let us always remember and never forget:
"Loose lips sink ships."
The British equivalent used variations on the phrase
"Keep mum". "Keep mum" means to remain silent,
especially so as not to reveal a secret.
"to zipper your mouth shut".
We must protect our conversations...
they can be disastrous;
loose talk is direct delivery to the enemy.
The sharp ears of the enemy are always listening
for scraps of information.
If we listen carefully and hold our tongues,
we don't make problems worse
or speak words we regret.
Take note of this reminder:
Let us stop gossiping!