ZERO TOLERANCE FOR GOSSIP

You shall not go
about as a talebearer among your people. Leviticus 19:16

When Shayla Mcknight applied for a job for an online
printing company, she was surprised to learn that they had a zero-tolerance
policy for gossip. The employees are encouraged to confront one another,
instead of gossip about their fellow employees. If employees are caught gossiping,
they are reprimanded, and if they continue, they are fired.

Long before this kind of policy was ever implemented by a
company, God spoke of His own zero-tolerance policy for gossip and slander
among His people (Lev.19:16). Idle talk that foolishly or maliciously spreads
rumours or fact about another person was forbidden.

Solomon said that speaking badly of others could have
disastrous effects. It betrays confidence (Prov.11:13), separate close friends
(16:28; 17:9), shames and saddles you with a bad reputation (25:9-10), and
perpetually fuels the…