Crazymakers make you want to spread the word about their craziness—to hear your friends say, “Wow, they are crazy!” That affirmation from your friends can make you feel good. But spreading the word is gossip—and it’s unloving.

The Bible says to forgive even your enemies. Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends” (NLT).

What is gossip? It’s sharing information with somebody who is not part of the problem or the solution. Gossip, in its essence, is a form of retaliation. You talk about someone behind their back rather than going to that person directly.

In the short term, gossip may make you feel better—but it actually lets the crazymaker win. It allows that person to control your conversations and emotions. Suddenly you’re spending your time talking about the crazymaker instead of all the positive things in your life. When you choose to gossip, the crazymaker wins.

Gossip is incredibly destructive too. It destroys churches, families, and businesses. It separates close friends. It can even destroy your life.

But you don’t have to let it. You have the choice not to gossip—and to instead repay the wrong done to you with a blessing.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9, “Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing” (NCV).

You can gossip and miss out on God’s blessing.

Or you can choose to have positive conversations and use words that lift others up. In doing so, you will receive God’s blessing on your life.