Today’s Reading, Proverbs 24-26
Focal Scripture: Proverbs 26:20-22 “Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.”
The book of Proverbs gives many insightful sayings. A lot of them have to do with speech and how people talk. Here it gets into gossip and the effects it has on people, culture, and groups. Gossip is detrimental to those who are affected by it and corrupts the person who spreads it to others.
The first example Solomon gives is that without wood a fire will die, without gossip conflict dies down. That means that gossip is the fuel behind conflict. We know this to be true and that most arguments and disagreements start with the phrase “someone said” or “I heard”. Gossip usually happens because someone is trying to control a situation or manipulate their desires over others.
A person who wants strife should be avoided and gossip is one of the sure fire ways to build strife in a community. We should be thankful for gossip in a sense. It reveals to us the heart of a person. People who gossip will talk about others, tear them down, engage in bashing conversations, and disguise it as fruitful conversations.
I tell people who are close to me all the time when it comes to this topic the following phrase “if they will talk about someone to you, they will talk about you to someone.” Gossip is one of the most overlooked sins in Christianity. It is almost accepted.
So what can be done about it? When you speak about others be positive, even when you disagree. Don’t allow others to be talked about in your presence. Submit your own speech to Christ. Our tongues have lots of power. They should be used to praise the savior and build others up.
How is your speech today? Do you tear others down or do you build them up?
Tomorrow I plan on reading Proverbs 27-29
