Gossip often feels small, subtle, or maybe even spiritual, but Scripture paints a very different picture of it. Today, Dot and Cara take a hard look at gossip through the lens of Romans 1 and unpack why God names it among the most destructive of sins. Together they explore what gossip really is, how it harms us, and how learning to take it seriously can bring great freedom. Pull up a chair, grab your Bible, and lean in with us.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know!

• Intro (00:00)
• Start by writing down Romans 1:28-32 (0:13)
• We tend to categorize and rank sins (2:26)
• Gossip is speech about someone else that harms people (3:55)
• Gossip is specifically listed as a sin that God hates (8:00)
• If you need to “get it out,” Jesus is the only person you can tell everything to (12:42)
• Is sharing something that’s public knowledge the same as gossip? (17:21)
• When you get in tune with the Holy Spirit, it’s easier to recognize gossip (19:01)
• We need to be very careful with the lives of people God loves (23:55)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.

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Scripture Verse: Romans 1:28-32 (ESV)
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

Comparison doesn’t stay small; it’s a sin that grows and slowly steals our joy. Today, Dot and Cara are walking through John 21:20–23, where Peter looks at someone else’s calling and Jesus responds, “What is that to you? You follow me.”

Together, they unpack why comparison is a form of bondage and how security in our identity brings freedom. If you’ve ever wrestled with comparing your story, your prayers, your kids, or your life to someone else’s, we hope this conversation helps re-center your heart on Jesus and reminds you where peace is found.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know!

Episode recap:

• Intro (00:00)
• Start by writing down John 21:20-23 (0:13)
• Knowing we are loved by God gives us freedom from comparison (3:45)
• Why would God take time to warn us against comparison? (8:10)
• Comparison doesn’t stay in its lane, it’s a sin that grows (9:42)
• God is at work in different ways in each of our lives (12:01)
• In comparing our lives to one another’s, we falsely give credit or blame (16:26)
• Comparison steals our gratitude and joy for what God is doing in our lives (19:26)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.

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Scripture Verse: John 21:20-23 (ESV) “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers[a] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

In part two of this conversation, Dot and Cara move from theology to everyday life, asking how being a child of God actually changes our normal, everyday lives. They talk honestly about how remembering who we belong to reshapes the way we pray, trust, forgive, and walk through hard moments. This episode is an invitation to let the truth of spiritual adoption move from your head to your heart. Grab your Bible, a pencil, and a cup of coffee, and join us.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know!

Episode recap:

• Intro (00:00)
• Start by writing down Romans 8:15-17 (0:13)
• How does this truth change our lives, practically speaking? (2:08)
• We have to move this truth from our heads to our hearts (5:06)
• Remembering this truth gives us confidence and allows us to forgive (9:06)
• Claiming this truth in the middle of our day relieves fear and anxiety (11:41)
• Being a child of God means security and eternal protection (13:20)
• This becomes your reality as you apply it daily (19:56)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

Scripture Verse: Romans 8:15-17 (ESV)
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”