Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 11, 2014
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. Proverbs 26:20
Gossip is the go to behavior for those who want to get back at someone. Maybe they were hurt and this is their passive way to inflict pain. Or, motivated by insecurity, they feel the need to build themselves up by putting others down. This idle talk or rumor only exposes the immature heart of the instigator. Misinformation by the misinformed leads to confusion at the least and clouds character at the worse. Thus, by God’s grace we refrain from fueling the fires of gossip.
Indeed a discreet heart pauses before it is tempted to tickle ears. There is a nobler commitment to create conversation around ideas, not default to lazy discussions that demean people. Discretion protects our souls from embarrassing entanglements that later prove to be untrue or half truths. For example, we may talk about someone’s long lunches at work not knowing they visit their elderly parent in a nursing home. Discretion is a diligent fact finder that is slow to find fault.
“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:11).
Furthermore, how can we be discreet as a recipient of gossip? First of all, we recognize it is as a deterrent to a healthy culture at home and work. It creates factions, contributes to mistrust and disloyalty, and it erodes productivity. When we politely dismiss discussions based on hearsay, we say to the gossiper, you do not have control over me or the person you are dishonoring. Instead of keeping quiet we say in love, “I’m surprised, I’ve always known her to finish the job.”
Above all else, we seek our heavenly Father for wisdom and discretion. Discretion is embedded in a heart of wisdom. Without discretion we are not wise, but foolish. Yes, the ability to avoid causing offense by revealing sensitive information is the fruit of wisdom and grace. We become a trusted confidant when our total trust is in Christ. Gossip is an unused, unintelligible foreign language to a faithful follower of Jesus. Our discretion is a safe environment for needy souls.
“I wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:12-13).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a discreet heart that honors You and others.
Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 22:12; Proverbs 11:12-13, 16:28; Romans 1:28-32; 2 Thessalonians 3:11
Post/Tweet today: Gossip is an unused, unintelligible foreign language to a faithful follower of Jesus. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Mars Hill Church- 5 min video: http://youtu.be/sRt253DCV8M
Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
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Thank you for what you shared about Gossip. I have been dealing with this for some time. I wrote all the scriptures to help me to see the importance of Gods’ word on this. It seemed the more I tried to stop the more I found myself doing it. Reading this showed me a clear picture of what it does and what it does to me.
Hit the spot. In order to further God’s kingdom this is very important. Thank you.
Dear Sherry~
You are SO RIGHT!! “In order to further God’s kingdom this is very important.” Well said. Discretion not gossip, is vital in our lives, especially for Christians, as we go about and do our work for His kingdom!
After reading the devotional a couple fo times, I was humbly reminded of how easy (and often unintentional)it is to get caught up in “harmless” chit-chat, that is plainly gossip. It never ceases to amaze me when God “taps us on the shoulders” with great reminders to help us along. He loves us so much and truly is in the details of our lives, isn’t He?
Thank you Sherry, for reaching out to us. We always appreciate hearing from our Wisdom Hunters family. We are so thankful for you and hope to hear from you again sometime.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Everyday I look forward to opening up your daily devotion. As a resident of the greater Seattle area, thank you especially for today’s ‘wisdom’. My prayer is that this ‘wisdom’ and the accompanying excerpt from Pastor Mark will reach far and wide and touch the hearts and minds of all who need to hear it, and that it smites Satan who is roaring around delighting in the power of his tongue.
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your sincere and honest response to us regarding the devotional, “Discretion Not Gossip”. Please know that it is my guess that you are not only speaking for yourself but for many others in the Wisdom Hunters family!
Even as a believer, it is hard not to get caught up in the “trap” of gossip that is disguised as idle chit-chat. (I am humbly speaking for myself on occasion).
So, reading the devotional (a few times over) was a great reminder of the devastating effects of gossip.
The statement “Misinformation by the misinformed leads to confusion at the least and clouds character at the worse”, was a wake up call, especially to believers.
And what about this: “Above all else, we seek our heavenly Father for wisdom and discretion. Discretion is embedded in a heart of wisdom”. Goodness, Sharon, that struck a chord with me, did it with you?
Again, I thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. We always love to hear from one of our Wisdom Hunters family and hope to hear from you again sometime.
Blessings,
Gwynne
“Be joyful always; pray continually; giving thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Dear Kathleen~
Thank you for your encouraging words regarding today’s devotional, “Discretion Not Gossip”. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us.
Kathleen, thank you, too, for your reminder “that Satan is roaring around delighting in the power of his tongue”. When we realize that, it makes the act of gossip even more hideous. This is truly a wake-up call.
We are so thankful for you, Kathleen, and look forward to hearing from you again in the future. I hope all is well in the wonderful city of Seattle!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“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