Have you heard the latest? So-and-so did this; so-and-so did that. This person got involved with that one and this was the outcome. But wait, I heard that this was the outcome, not that. Of course, who knows what is true and what is false?

It's all "he said; she said." In fact, a Social Issues Research Center has found that 55% of men's conversation is gossip, and for the women, it is 67%. But hang on a second, what exactly is gossip? It can be defined as conversation involving details about other people that is not always confirmed as truth. In our society today, gossip is treated as a harmless habit that all people have.

However, it is still an ugly, terrible habit. When others keep repeating tidbits of hearsay, the details get mixed up, like in a game of Telephone. Simple things can get warped into rumors that can tarnish reputations and hurt others.

Now, I'm sure we have all mindlessly been involved in gossip; it's difficult not to these days. Nevertheless, I'd like to encourage everyone, including myself, to be more mindful about the things we repeat.

"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." - Psalm 141:3.

I'm trying to use this as a daily reminder to watch what I say, to break the habit of saying something that could possibly be harmful. I would hate it if someone was gossiping about me, so why should I do the same to others?

We should think wisely about the words that leave our mouths: "Is what I am about to say hurtful or helpful?"

Think of Ephesians 4:29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Have you heard the latest? It's not cool to tear others down.