"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HOW TO STOP TALEBEARING"
Proverbs 26:20 “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
Taken from Today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/29/14.
A little background, application, questions and a prayer:
This subject of talebearing, or gossip is spoken of widely in the Bible.
God actually tells us about how this causes division.
And, God tells us that He hates division.
There is a good lesson here.
1. We can stop talebearing from continuing.
Proverbs 26:20 “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
This verse tells us how to stop talebearing.
Just don't put the wood, the fuel, of gossip on the fire.
Soon the fiery gossip will stop.
Just consider how a fire burns.
It must have wood to continue.
If you don't put any wood on the fire what will happen?
The fire goes out.
The wood here is gossip.
2. We can also stop the strife.
Proverbs 26:20 “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
Talebearing, gossip etc, cause strife.
Strife will cease if there are no logs put on the fire.
Talebearers are people who spread gossip.
If they are not around to spread their gossip the strife will cease.
3. Here's how it's put in the NLT:
Proverbs 26:20 “Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.”
Helpful, don't you think?
Fires will go out for lack of fuel.
No fuel means no fire.
Also, quarrels disappear (they vanish) when gossip stops.
If a gossiper stops gossiping, strife will stop.
Gossiping keeps the strife going.
4. Some definitions might help.
Quarrels comes from a root word meaning to roll in pieces.
It means a whisper, to murmur, to backbite, slander.
Gossip comes from a word meaning to judge, to contend. to act as judge and to strive.
And it means to be contentious, to sow discord, and to variant.
Some Questions:
1. Have you ever been the object of someones talebearing?
2. How did it make you feel?
3. Do you think any one of us should gossip or cause trouble for others?
4. Of course not.
5. Can we thank God together for this simple, but powerful, verse?
A Prayer:
Father, Your Word never ceases to not help us. It always goes deep into our beings and does it's work of teaching, correcting, rebuking, instructing etc, making us more complete and equipped to serve You. Which, by the way, Lord, is what we want to do.
Would You be so kind as to continue to speak loud and clear to us. We want to listen with all of our hearts. And, we want to do all that You show us to do. In Jesus’ name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
