These are not the only joy-stealers, but the three things mentioned below will rob you in the workplace, friendships and family!
Let’s look at what the wisdom book tells us about it…
Joy Stealers:
1. Gossip. Idle talk or rumors about others.
The bible calls one who gossips a talebearer, a busybody and a whisperer. Leviticus 20:16 “You shall not go out as a talebearer among your people.” Proverbs 17:9 “He who repeats a matter separates (best) friends. Proverbs 16: 28 “A whisper separates (chief) friends. Proverbs 20:19 “He who goes out as a talebearer reveals secrets; *therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
* Take special note of the word therefore. Why is it in the sentence? Because there are gossips in the world today and the work place, we are to stay away from them.
Why avoid gossipers?
Because if they are coming to you revealing secrets about someone else to you don’t you think they will leave you and go tell others your secrets?Of course they will. It’s in their nature to do so. It’s what they live for.
How do you stop a gossip?
It’s very simple. Don’t listen. That is all there is to it. It’s just that simple. Don’t give them an ear to gossip in. Tell them this, “I can’t believe so and so said that, let’s you and I go ask them if that is really what they said.
One more thing about gossip…
Proverbs 26:20, “Where there is no wood the fire goes out, and where there is no talebearer, the strife will cease.” And where there is no strife, there is peace. And where there is peace, there is Joy!
2. Selfishness. Loving ones self first or self-seeking.
Proverbs 11:26 talks about withholding something good from someone who needs it. “He that withhold corn, the people will curse him, but blessings will be on the head of him that sells it.” If we sell something to someone who has a need for it is good. What happens if we choose to give it to them? Luke 6:38 “Give and it shall be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Mark 10:37 gives us a look at James and John being selfish, seeking the best place. “They replied, Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at your left in Your glory.” Jesus proceeds to tell them that to be great you must serve, and to be the greatest you must be a servant of all.
How can you change?
Servant leadership is one of the antidotes to self-seeking behavior.
3. Jealousy. Resentfully suspicious of a rival or a rival’s influence.
Genesis 37:4 – Joseph’s brothers. “And when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him”
I Samuel 18:8 – King Saul. “Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him, ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘ but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ and from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
In summary:
Instead of Gossiping – Edify one another
Instead of Selfishness – Give to one another
Instead of Jealousy – Love one another.