“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” Proverbs 26:20-22
Devotional Thought For The Day
This set of proverbs discusses the relationship between “gossip” and slandering others to quarreling and conflict. The “whisperer” is a “tale-bearer,” one who has an interesting story to tell about someone else, a story that is in some aspect evil so that it has to be whispered or spoken quietly. It matters not whether the story is true or not, or even how it is spoken – only its effect on the name and reputation of another, that another’s reputation and status in the community is degraded or destroyed. When this begins, or is a continuing dynamic within the community, there is sure to be quarreling, animosity, and all manner of other hatred and conflict. This has long been a manipulative tool of weak human beings who are jealous of others, unable to effect the changes they want, eager for power, unhappy with themselves, or simply grow to hate someone. And whenever we speak evil of another – whether it is true or not – we are engaging in evil and indulging a great hatred of the other. That someone would be willing to stir up the entire community and possibly divide the whole group with contention demonstrates the depth of this great evil. That such despicable behavior would infect a community of God’s people, the church, is a terrible profaning of God’s Name – and sadly, this is the impression that many have of Christian congregations. If there is any truth to this, and sadly there is, Lord, have mercy!
What is the lure to this, that the slanderer’s words should strike us as “delicious morsels”? Sadly, we must confess it is our own dark wickedness and infatuation with the evils of hatred, our weak willingness to dwell on the real or supposed failings of others and to at some level rejoice in their fall and destruction. This is so dark and damnable that we will do almost anything so as not to admit that this wickedness exists deep within us. And sadly, the juicy tidbits of gossip do enter and take up residence in the deepest parts of our being – with continuing rotting effect, decomposing any love and decency that we might have had within us and making us all the more hateful and spiteful toward others. Soon enough our own whispering tongues are turned against even the people who are closest to us, our own family members – and I suspect that you have also witnessed this very thing. It is a sad and deplorable evil that is difficult to even contemplate. Hence the warning in our text, in God’s own Word, against this wretchedness of gossip and slander – not only for the sake of the community but for our own inner health and safety! May we all turn to the Lord Jesus in deep repentance for this evil within us, and for all harm and destruction that we have done to others by listening and by repeating such garbage. And may our repentance be real and genuine, that we may receive His gracious mercy and forgiveness. Let us pray with the psalmist: “Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” [Psalm 51:9-11] We need healing from this evil as much as we need forgiveness!
There are people who can be characterized as “quarrelsome,” people who enjoy stoking the fire of contention and division. These people are destructive of peace, brotherhood, fellowship, love, goodness, and amity. If you are discerning, you will not have any difficulty recognizing such people. If you value any of these good things – brotherly love, friendship, cooperative efforts, unity, compassion and help for all – then understand that this is what is at risk when such a leaven is allowed to work within your group. Beware of allowing them to influence you, to infect you, and to recruit you to their cause. Work with others to promote real health, strength, goodwill, and love within your congregation – so that quarrelsome and slandering people have no fuel for their fire. Perhaps they will have to go away frustrated – or better yet, will repent and change. Pray God to protect all hearts and minds in Christian decency and love, so that your church becomes impenetrable to such loathsome animosity and hatred. And remember, it always begins with each of us, our own heart and mind and being.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the hatred and animosity that so often and so easily arises in our hearts and minds. Keep us from acting out of this evil to destroy the reputation of others and to stir up conflict and contention. Help us to stand against real evil, but in all other things to be cooperative, humble, helpful, and amicable toward all. Preserve our church, Your church, from this darkness and evil of slander and gossip. Amen.