When The Fires Goes Out

Read: Proverbs 26:17-28

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. --- Proverbs 26:20

The Bible In One Year:
Joshua 19-20
Luke 2:25-52

When a fire finishes burning through the material it feeds on, it goes out. Similarly, when gossip reaches the ear of someone who will not repeat it, it dies.

Gossip, like other sins, is like "tasty trifles" [Prov. 26:22]. We like to hear it and share it with others because it "tastes" good. Gossip is rooted in our need to feel good about ourselves. As we bring others down, we gain the illusion that we are moving upward.

That's why spreading gossip is so difficult to resist. It takes prayer and God's grace to bring ut to the point where we refuse to pass it on or even hear it --- even under the guise of personal concern or a request to pray for a sinning friend in trouble.

We must ask God for the wisdom to know when to speak, what to speak, and when to simply keep our mouths shut. For "in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" [Prov. 10:19].

It is often wise to be quiet and speak few words. But if we must speak, let's talk of those things that encourage and move others closer to God, not those things that will discourage and hurt them. "The tongue of the wise promotes health" [Prov. 12:18]. --- David Roper

The tongue can spread suspicion,
And reputations steal;
But when the Lord controls our tongue,
Its words will soothe and heal. --- Sper

DESTROY GOSSIP BY IGNORING IT.