Pearls from Proverbs: Gossip

When I was a teenager, my now father-in-law was my Sunday School teacher.  He was one of the many leaders in my life who taught me the importance of a daily quiet time.  He made sure that every week we shared what we learned from our quiet time that week, teaching us that God can speak to each one of us in a different way, giving us various application from the exact same passages.  During these years of his leadership, I developed a love for the book of Proverbs!  The entire Bible is valuable, relevant, and necessary for my life, but the book of Proverbs is still my favorite.  It is STUFFED FULL of wisdom, instruction, and truth that is very easy to apply to my life.  You can read the book of Proverbs over and over again, every day for the rest of your life and never stop learning vital truths for life.

This post is my first of many "Pearls from Proverbs".  Each "pearls" post will be a compilation of Proverbs that speak  to a specific topic.  The verses in this post speak to the topic of gossip.  Unfortunately, this is an area that is all to prevalent in most peoples life.  If honest, we can all say that we have been guilty of gossip at some point in our life.  While we may act like a little gossip is harmless, it has the power to completely destroy a person's life.   Let's pray for one another as sister's in Christ that we will remember these verses when we are tempted to gossip!

Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 10:18 - Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:19 - In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 11:9 - The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

Proverbs 11:13 - A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Proverbs 13:3 - He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 15:2 - The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

Proverbs 15:14 - The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Proverbs 16:27-28 - 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.

Proverbs 17:4 - An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends. 

Proverbs 18:13 - He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 20:19 - He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

Proverbs 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 26:17 - He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 26:20-22 - Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.  As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.