05.03.05 The 3rd Sign of a Negative-Gossip Conversation
3. Confidential Disclosures
Conversations that disclose people’s confidential information without their prior approval, especially if the facts are bad, harmful or damaging to the victims, constitute negative gossip. This augurs with Proverbs 11:13a which says (AMP): 13He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets,...
That kind of gossip was prevalent at JuaLink, commonly propagated by Lulu and her prayer partners. For instance, you may remember how they (partners) leaked the news about the ‘downsizing exercise’ in the office corridors, despite having been sworn to secrecy during a prayer meeting; moreover, championed by the very Lulu.
Have you ever come across a person who said something like “Let me tell you this, but please do not reveal that I am the one who told you”; or “Never tell anyone about this”? Much as it is that such confidential information may be from a whistleblower; often times, it signals negative gossip. It is therefore important to subject the information to investigations and validations then decide what you should listen to; and either take action, ignore or discard the issue.
Therefore, whilst engaging in a conversation, ascertain whether the information being relayed is meant to be confidential or otherwise. Are the listeners or participators amongst those supposed to access that information?