For the longest time I struggled with Gossip and wrong speech, and believe me I wanted to stop it. However it became so hard to control my words, so I took extreme measures to cut it out; as Jesus said in Matthew 5:29-5:30
[29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
So here is the protocall
Every time(and I mean every) before you speak ask yourself these 7 questions.
1) Should I say this
2) Is this nessecary
3)Is This Gossip or slanderous talk
4) Am I lying
5)Would God be pleased or displeased with what I'm saying
6) What ripple effect will these words have
7) Is that ripple effect a positive or a negative effect
You may have stale conversations
Others may get annoyed at you for taking too long to speak
This may mean you stop having intresting conversations with people
But so what
Being slow to speak is not legalism, slowing down is not foolishness. Taking extreme measures not to sin, is not being a Pharisee. It's taking extreme measures not to sin like Jesus said. Gods word is the same forever, The worlds interpration of it is not. Always remember that. If any of you are struggling with Gossip or slanderous talk use this protocol before you speak each and every time. God Bless you