As followers of Christ, we are honest people. We strive to say what is right and do what God would have us do. For the Lord is with us. When we hear things about other people’s lives, we aren’t so ready to tell everyone. Instead of turning what is a private matter into headline news with our friends and family, we keep the matter to ourselves. Since God is with us, we’d rather tell and share what He would have us say. We’d hate to damage another person’s reputation or make them depressed. As unbelievers, we know the damage that we have all done before and pray to God that we will never go down that path again. I know that when I was care free and living in this world that I said the stupidest things. And the sad thing is, the things I said hurt many people to the core. My family and even my wife was affected. And what made things so difficult was that I didn’t want to hurt people but still did so anyways. It was when I gave my life to God is when things changed. God was able to work through me and mend broken relationships and bring them back to life. Speaking of gossip and saying hurtful things, Solomon spoke on this matter. He mentioned the word talebearer, which means gossiper. Here is what he said, 1“where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” It is when God transforms us and we no longer desire to say hurtful things is when all the walls come crumbling down and all the bitterness comes to an end. God’s peace then takes over.
I speak of gossip and hurtful things that people say, because although it may make the person saying such things feel good, it damages other people to the core. Those that are not with Christ will never understand the damage that they have done until true repentance occurs in prayer. Turning away from our sins and following Christ is when our eyes are opened to God’s truth and the evil life we once knew. This begins our new life. With Christ in our lives, we find those we hurt and do all we can to make things right. We tell them sorry and ask for forgiveness. Just like we go to God in prayer and ask for His forgiveness and mercy, we do the same to every person that we have offended. Solomon helps us understand the damage that we have done to people when there is anger and stife within our hearts. He said, 1“as coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” Our own wicked thoughts are out of control and cause arguments to take shape. Truly these things we do and say leave scars in our lives and the people we have affected. Solomon put it this way, 1“the words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” As followers of Christ, we acknowledge the hurtful things we’ve said and done for we know how damaging it is. Therefore, we come clean with God and man, and mend all broken ties with true love. Just as the Lord forgives every sin in our lives, as we repent, this turning from our sin helps us mend broken relationships.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us to watch our tongues and strive not to say things that hurt other people. To those people that we have already offended, bring those things we’ve said to our minds that we may come to them and mend every wrong. I pray that forgiveness is felt, in the person’s life that is sorry. May their sincerity of their actions speak volumes of the person they are now for You, Jesus. Help people see the change in their lives and forgive them as You are so gracious to forgive us. May our thoughts be purified in Your blood. Help us stay focused on what is pure and holy. We only want to do Your will, so please help us love one another. Shine down Your love, that we may truly say and act as You have us do. May Your presence change us and conform us to live to Your standards. That the Word of the Bible may be imprinted in our hearts. I know that Your Words are powerful and it does have the power to move me to do Your will, above all things. I trust in You, Jesus. I praise You, Lord. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Proverbs 26:15-28 (KJV)
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
