Avoid idle talks

READ: 1 Chronicles 19, 20; Proverbs 26; John 21: 1–14

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 26: 20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

OBSERVATION: Gossiping appears to be an accepted practice in today’s world. Gossip is something that a person speaks or writes about unverified personal or private details of others. In Newspapers, magazines, social media, and almost all places where humans work, we see people gossip about others. Some Psychologists say that gossip brings positive effects. In workplaces, some officers encourage gossip for their selfish benefit. However, the Bible clearly warns us against gossip. Here, in Proverbs 19, we get a glimpse of what the Bible says about it. As the main theme of Proverbs 19 is about the folly of the fools, it is appropriate to read about gossip in this chapter. Gossip ignites fights, hate, disputes and ruins many relationships. Gossips often destroy the reputation of the person whose details are shared. People find it difficult to see them positively. “The words of a gossip” can hurt a person’s “inmost parts.” Even after years, many who are affected by gossip struggle to come out of the trauma, pain, and fear. Some of them have expressed how they struggled with suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, inferiority complex, and negative perception about others. Sometimes, unintentional gossip becomes uncontrollable and spreads like wildfire. Therefore, one should be careful in his/her words, especially when s/he speaks about others. A person who constantly gossips cannot live with God (Ps.15:1–3).

When we struggle with a temptation to gossip about somebody, especially when we think that we have a piece of new and unknown information, we should remember the words of Jesus, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Mt.5:37). Before we tell something about others, we should think about whether it would do anything good for us and it will help build the reputation of the other person. If our answer would be no, it is better to avoid such idle talks about others. Apostle Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). In his epistle to Colossians, Paul gives practical advice that “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

APPLICATION: With my words, I can either build the reputation of others or ruin their goodwill and career. As a follower of Jesus, I should speak words that edify and build others. Instead of kindling strife, my words should always be full of grace. I will not allow my tongue to mislead others and defile me. Instead, I will praise God; I will help others to taste God’s love and grace.

PRAYER: Father God, help me to tame my tongue and use it for your glory. Lord, give me your wisdom to speak only the words that help, correct and edify others. Jesus, open my lips to declare your praise. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel

+91 9538328573

Day — 177

(Tamil version of this devotion is posted here)