Weekend Reads: Resisting and correcting gossip

Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue

By Matthew C. Mitchell

Proverbs says “the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” As Christians, we all know gossip is wrong. But it is sometimes so juicy and satisfying that we all participate.

Pastor Matthew C. Mitchell found a lack of teaching and resources on the topic, so he decided to write his first book on the subject: Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue (CLC Publications, 2013). He defines the sin of gossip as “bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart.” Scripture has a treasure of perspective on gossip, and Mitchell mines it well. Each of his 10 chapters ends with reflective discussion questions, and he includes an impressive list of books for deeper examination. In his section on recognizing gossip, Mitchell provides an insightful analysis on what motivates us to gossip. Some situations are not clear cut, and he repeatedly encourages examinations of the heart. When he discusses resisting gossip, he offers practical advice that goes far beyond the “hand-raised, palm-outward sanctimonious” stance of the gossip police.

Mitchell’s section on responding to gossip is the surprising gem of the book. We think of gossip as a sin we engage in, often forgetting it is a sin we can be deeply wounded by when we are its victim. He offers compassionate advice on responding in faith and love. Counseled in writing the book to “stay positive” and “offer hope,” he accomplishes both goals. When we realize we regret gossip, he reminds us that God “is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —Kim Milhoan

The Rise of Marco Rubio

By Manuel Roig-Franzia

Politicians, like actors, are often the subjects of gossip—and that gives biographers willing to provide balanced looks an important role. And Manuel Roig-Franzia’s The Rise of Marco Rubio (Simon & Schuster, 2012) does a good job filling in the background of the life of the Republican U.S. senator from Florida, who has steadily climbed the political ladder from town council member to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served as speaker, all the way to Capitol Hill, with possible White House aspirations on the horizon.

The book describes how the youthful-looking Rubio’s communication skills and work ethic catapulted him into Florida politics soon after a term-limit law eliminated a generation of older GOP leaders in the state. But Roig-Franzia argues that Rubio’s youthful exuberance can sometimes work against him when he rushes into issues with plans and opinions before he or his advisors have had the opportunity to think them all the way through.

The Rise of Marco Rubio weaves in his family’s Cuban immigrant background but points out inconsistencies in the story that Rubio might have to overcome if he wants to reach that top rung of the political ladder on Pennsylvania Avenue. —Gary Cumberland