Post by Michael on Jul 4, 2006 5:52:04 GMT -5
GOSSIP AND TALEBEARING
Slanderous words are swallowed greedily by those who listen to talebearers. Such words do not just make a superficial impression either -- they corrupt the innermost being of the listener. Whereas, "without gossip a quarrel dies down" (26:20), a talebearer causes strife. Simply put, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (11:13).
Specifically, a Christian is not to make other people’s sins public knowledge: "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends" (17:9). How much grief has been caused by not applying this one basic principle! God tells us to avoid talebearers and gossips: "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much" (20:19).
USING THE TONGUE
Lying is condemned in no uncertain terms: "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment" (12:19); "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful" (12:22); and "Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor" (25:18).
Nor are we to boast about our achievements: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips" (27:2). Often, the best course of action is to keep silent: "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wse" (10:19); "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent" (17:28); and "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control" (29:11). Proverbs emphasizes that "an evil man is trapped by his sinful talk" (12:13) and "a fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul" (18:7).
USING THE TONGUE
We can use the tongue positively, however. All those who give righteous instruction are commended: "The lips of the righteous nourish many" (10:21); "Kings take pleasure in honest lips" (16:13); and "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (25:11). However, the righteous will rebuke, if necessary, rather than flatter a person (28:23).
Throughout the book of Proverbs, the words of the righteous and the wicked are contrasted: "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked" (10:11); "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value" (10:20); "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18); "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly" (15:2); and "The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him" (15:26). In short, "the tongue has the power of life and death" (18:21).
from : www.wcg.org/lit/bible/poet/wisdom2.htm
Slanderous words are swallowed greedily by those who listen to talebearers. Such words do not just make a superficial impression either -- they corrupt the innermost being of the listener. Whereas, "without gossip a quarrel dies down" (26:20), a talebearer causes strife. Simply put, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (11:13).
Specifically, a Christian is not to make other people’s sins public knowledge: "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends" (17:9). How much grief has been caused by not applying this one basic principle! God tells us to avoid talebearers and gossips: "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much" (20:19).
USING THE TONGUE
Lying is condemned in no uncertain terms: "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment" (12:19); "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful" (12:22); and "Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor" (25:18).
Nor are we to boast about our achievements: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips" (27:2). Often, the best course of action is to keep silent: "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wse" (10:19); "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent" (17:28); and "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control" (29:11). Proverbs emphasizes that "an evil man is trapped by his sinful talk" (12:13) and "a fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul" (18:7).
USING THE TONGUE
We can use the tongue positively, however. All those who give righteous instruction are commended: "The lips of the righteous nourish many" (10:21); "Kings take pleasure in honest lips" (16:13); and "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (25:11). However, the righteous will rebuke, if necessary, rather than flatter a person (28:23).
Throughout the book of Proverbs, the words of the righteous and the wicked are contrasted: "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked" (10:11); "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value" (10:20); "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18); "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly" (15:2); and "The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him" (15:26). In short, "the tongue has the power of life and death" (18:21).
from : www.wcg.org/lit/bible/poet/wisdom2.htm