Scripture: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” – (26:20)
Observation: In today’s verse, we are reminded of the benefits of not gossiping about others.
Application: Engaging in gossip, whether sharing or listening, is very tempting. When someone has something “juicy” to say about someone else, we have a tendency to lean in and listen. Why is that so? Some studies state that involvement with gossip leads to an increase in the pleasure centers of the brain, which happens to be the same feelings that can be achieved by eating sugar! Both activities begin with good feelings, but then they can lead to very negative consequences. Sugar’s impact is more physical, while gossip can lead to a host of psychological and social effects.
Here are a few consequences from being a “talebearer”.
- Gossip boosts self-pride. It gives a person a sense of power in social standing, promoting an “I know something you don’t know” mentality.
- Gossip can be untrue and lead to the spreading of malicious lies, which can be very harmful to a person’s reputations.
- Gossip can destroy relationships.
- Gossip can be addictive.
Here are three things the Bible teaches us about gossip.
- Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
- God desires us to be an encouragement to others.
- Proverbs 20:19 – “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”
- God warns us to not confide in those who gossip because they are untrustworthy and you may be the focus of their next conversation with others.
- Psalm 34:13 – “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
- God instructs us to refrain from speaking unrighteously about or to anyone.
While there are many more verses addressing this issue, the bottom line is God desires us to build others up, not tear them down. If you wouldn’t say something about someone with them standing right beside you, don’t say it at all!
Prayer: Dear Father, please set a guard around my lips, so that everything I say would be pleasing to You. Help me to encourage and support others by my actions and my words. Keep my tongue from evil at all times, so that I may “administer grace to others” by Your power and grace. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.
Be kind to each other; the night's coming on,
When friend and when brother perchance may be gone;
Then, 'midst our dejection, how sweet to have earn'd
The blest recollection of kindness return'd!
Happy children, blessed children,
Who are loving one another truly;
And the Saviour, blessed Saviour,
Loving more than all beside.
(from “Be Kind to Each Other” by Fanny Crosby)
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“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14