The
words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And
they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Proverbs
26:22
Thoughts~
Perhaps after this many years of life, you’d think I
would not be learning new things still.
But I do every day and I appreciate the wisdom that God sends my way so
much. Today my pastor spoke on gossip. He wasn’t looking forward to it all that
much but since he has been taking the church through Proverbs 26, he needed to
address verse 22. Surprising to him, he ended up enjoying his study on it and
surprising to me, I learned something new and concrete that I could take home
with me.
As a believer, I sense the Holy Spirit nudging me when
I get too close to gossiping. However, it has always been a bit confusing to me
if I want to share something I am concerned about over one friend with another friend.
Sometimes I venture out and other times I just refrain from saying anything at
all. I’ve been, quite honestly, a little skittish about it after being betrayed
about some things I shared with a very close friend that was then thrown in my
face.
Pastor Bob made it so simple. He said to ask ourselves
if what we want to share about another person has an unloving motive. Wow. So
wise. Is my motive loving or unloving? Or am I being a backbiter who is
delighting in the “dainty morsels” as they glide down into my heart? Or am I
truly concerned about a person’s wellbeing? I will begin a heart check before I
open my mouth about another person. I want to be a loving heart whisperer.
I have avoided people who love to trash others maliciously,
but, I also need to be aware of the subtle whisperers as the New American
Standard calls them. The King James
calls them tale bearers. The New
International Version calls them gossips. Whatever name they are given, I do
not want to pass on a single thing unless my motive is purely out of love. I do
not ever want to cause hurt to anyone intentionally.
This is going to be harder than it sounds because,
after all, we are human beings. We tend to want to chat about everything under
the sun. But today brought a new guideline. Thank you, Lord, for Pastor Bob.
Action~
So, what is your motive when you share news about
someone? Is it full of love? Or is your motive unloving?
*Think before you speak words that could pass for gossip.
*Avoid whisperers/slanderers/talebearers/gossips.
*If you hear some gossip, stop it right there. Don’t
pass it on.
Pray~
Lord, I am so thankful for the words “unloving motive”
today. It helps me to remember to put my heart in check. Help me to apply this to my life
everyday . . . for the rest of my life.
Trusting in Him,
Becky
**With grateful thanks to Pastor Bob Kerrey of Moon
Valley Bible Church in Phoenix, AZ. http://www.moonvalleybible.org/
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