Talking About Others

A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence. Proverbs 11:12 

The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction, the common sense of the godly preserves them. Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise. Proverbs 12:18

The more talk, the less truth, the wise measure their words. Proverbs 10:19

Think about when you were with a person that continues to tell other people’s secrets. You can feel yourself wanting to get away from them. But when people talk well about others, you enjoy their company. These Bible verses are pretty clear about gossip and loose tongues. Our family is blessed to have parents that have taught us to tell the truth but there are times we experience people who have not been taught the same.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11 

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Proverbs 16:21

I am a pretty lucky person as over the years I have found friends that speak well of others using sweetness of lips.

However, we need to be careful about even boasting too! Paul writes in 11 Corinthians 12:7b: "This gives me confidence they will tell the truth and good things about me." Paul writes, "Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated."

So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. (James 3:5-6a)

The Bible speaks to us as it says it is good to be aware of how your speaking affects others around you. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19. These are good words for me to adhere to before I speak.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for my wonderful parents and help me to learn from your word. I know I have failed at times but see clearly what these verses say to me. Lead me as I go forward. Thanks for teaching me in Proverbs, Corinthians, and James about how my words affect others. Amen. 

Sandra Hilsabeck