Proverbs 16:27-30:
An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.
Even though our children are still young (3 and almost 2) we’ve been instructing them in how they use their words just about from the time they could speak. Whether it be to encourage them to use “yes, sir” and “yes, ma'am,” to say things with a kind attitude, or to not use the word “like” every other word (as has been the case lately with Ella), we’ve been directing their words. The Bible, particularly in the book of Proverbs, has much to say about our speech. Proverbs 16 brings out another aspect of our speech that I need to teach my children about: using it as a devise to divide friends as verse 28 states, “a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Gossip and other forms of “whispering” can bring much destruction to relationships (ones that already exist or even potential relationships). I need to warn my children about being gossipers or talebearers. The following passages in Proverbs show the deceitful nature of talebearing:
Proverbs 11:13:”A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
Proverbs 18:8 and 26:22: “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,And they go down into the inmost body.”
Proverbs 20:19":”He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
Proverbs 26:20:”Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
