Who’s Got You Tongue

Proverbs 25:23 (NLT) As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

Have you ever been around someone that likes to “talk about others”? Or, have you been around someone that shares “secrets” that they SAY is between the two of you? How about someone that says they have a “prayer request” and they give way more information then necessary to pray for someone?

There are at least 32 verses in the bible that talk about gossip. Which means, if we need to have a “reminder” to NOT gossip, we can have a new one EVERY DAY, plus a few to spare ;-)

I have been on the other end of gossip a few times in my life, and it stinks! The anger and hurt it causes, especially when it is repeated, actually causes anger. However, I have been around people that have chosen to gossip, and as I look around, I notice ‘other people’ having the angry face. I think as a follower of Jesus, it is very important what comes out of our mouths! Especially when we are in the presence of unbelievers. It doesn’t feel good to see the reaction of someone else, while you are listening to someone tell things about another person. Sadly, it happens all too often in our society.

Jesus calls us to watch and hold our tongue, because it is sharper than any two edged sword and can cause a lot of damage. It can burn worse than any fire, and do SO much damage!

I learned a LONG time ago, when people start saying things that are like gossip, I find something else to try and talk about, or I conveniently remember something I “just forgot to do” and I walk away. If I know the person, I try and go to them in private, and share that I felt what was being said, was not what should have been shared, and it was gossip to my ears. Sometimes it goes well, and sometimes it doesn’t LOL

I thought I’d share a few of the verses in the bible about gossip:

2 Corinthians 12:20     Proverbs 10:18         Proverbs 18:8        Psalm 141:3

Ephesians 4:29             Proverbs 10:19         Proverbs 18:21      Proverbs 18:6-7

Exodus 23:1                  Proverbs 11:9           Proverbs 20:19      1 Timothy 5:13-14

James 1:26                    Proverbs 11:13         Proverbs 26:20      1 Timothy 3:9-11

James 4:11                    Proverbs 16:28         Psalm 34:13            Proverbs 26:20-22

Leviticus 19:16             Proverbs 17:9           Psalm 41:7              Romans 1:29-32

I will be praying for you and myself today, that we will NOT fall into the temptation to TALK about someone else OR to LISTEN to someone talking about another in a manner that is not uplifting and encouraging. Be well, be safe, and be blessed BIG time!