I SEEN HIM WHEN HE DONE IT

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Saying, “I seen him when he done it” is not good grammar but it’s no worse than watching what people do and then talking about it.

Gossip is the unnecessary passage of information (usually unverified) to others. Listen to Psalm 15:1-3 “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue. Who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.”

I have always been given two criteria for judging news: (l) is it true and (2) is it helpful? It goes without saying that truth is extremely important. But to me, the most important thing to think about before repeating something is to ask “Is it helpful?” If it’s not helpful, why in the world would you want to repeat it?