Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 8 May 2026 (In Touch) Friday Message
Charles Stanley Daily Devotional TOPIC: The Character of Gossip
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 1:28-31
God wants our speech to be pleasing to Him. That leaves no room for idle talk or mean-spirited words, which are far from pleasant; we are to “put aside” such talk (Colossians 3:8).
In Romans 1, the apostle Paul is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind and called us to be saints. In today’s passage, gossip is one of a number of actions we should turn away from. Take a moment to read Paul’s list in its entirety. Nothing there is appealing, of course, and every action named does great harm to us and our witness. Yet we are all guilty of committing them at times, aren’t we? We choose to envy what others have, to lie, to be unloving, or to spread gossip.
In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul describes how we should speak: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Before you speak, ask yourself, Does this glorify God? Does this uplift and encourage others? And pray, requesting that the Lord guide your tongue so your words will point others to Him.
Gossip achieves no good in anyone’s life, which is why the Lord warns against it. Instead, our words should build up, comfort, and encourage others.
Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 22-24
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Speak words that honor God and strengthen the people He’s placed in your path.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life.