Biblical Communication 8

We have seen repeatedly that the gossip, the talebearer, can not keep secrets. He is a blabbermouth. We are not to associate with talebearers or those that flatter with their lips. They are not mature. They do not know what they are saying or why. They are not trying to do a godly work. So find new friends if that is what is happening. Proverbs 20:19

We want to learn to hold our tongue, keep our mouth. That will keep us out of trouble. Loose lips not only sink ships, but they cause us lots of grief. Our intentions do not matter. We may have the best intentions but do not allow us to lower the guard over what we say. Words hurt. Because we often work in discipleship relationships, we get intimately involved with people. We speak what we shouldn’t, more than we should, and our lack of mouth control only causes problems. Proverbs 21:23

We want to speak from a pure heart. We want grace words to come out of our mouths. We want to be well-spoken. If we can control our heart and our mouth, God will give us great and important friends. Proverbs 22:11

Those who tell lies against another, bear false witness, are like a maul, a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. They are out to destroy. They mean to harm. They want to assassinate the character of another. I definitely, as a believer, never want to be that person. Proverbs 25:18

If we can get rid of the talebearer, the gossip, the whisperer, then the strife and quarrels will cease. This contentious, given to anger person, this quarrelsome person, kindles, throws gas on the fire, blows on the coals, does whatever they can to keep the fire going. They want to see it burn. They want to watch the hurt, the chaos, and the destruction.

As a believer, we never want to be this gossiping talebearer. We do not want to be the angry person that stirs up contention. We want to be the source of healing, not hurt and destruction. Proverbs 26:20-21. The fire started by this gossip can destroy entire churches and ministries. So let’s get involved in putting out the fire, not stirring it up to hotter flames.