Gossip

Let’s read Proverbs 17:6-9 with an emphasis on verse 9:

Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.  Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.  A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.  He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

The counsel of God’s word here is very clear and forthright.  Whenever possible we are to cover a transgression.  We are not to repeat it and not to tell others about it.  Of course, there would be exceptions to this and I think we all know some of those exceptions.  But in general, if the conversation is not redemptive, we should cover the transgression.  If we repeat the matter, if we gossip about the sins of someone else, we have separated friends.  We will move away from reconciliation and we will move toward separation.  Let’s keep our lips shut.  Loose lips not only sink ships (as the W.W. II saying goes) but loose lips also sink friendships.

In wisdom,
Eric

 

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