“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” -Proverbs 26:20
How do we overcome tale-bearing? There are four parties involved with whom we must make things right:
1) Tale-bearer: Close your mouth and be quiet. Think before you speak. (Is it true? Is it appropriate? Is it a matter of faith?) Refuse to listen to tales. [Proverbs 10:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Proverbs 15:28; Proverbs 17:4; Proverbs 20:19]
2) Tale-hearer: When you gossip to another person, you poison their mind. Gossip sticks.
3) Subject of the Tale: You rob them of their reputation. [Luke 17:1-4]
4) God: The One who notes all of our gossip. Go to the cross and take a look at the sins that nailed His Son there. See Christ paying for your sins–for your tale-bearing. When we sin and tell tales, we grieve the Holy Spirit of God. It displeases and angers Him.
Let’s get rid of the wood. May the Lord guard our lips.
[Points taken from the evening sermon by J. Anthony Vance on Proverbs 26:20-26.]
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Sermon Audio
Morning: Pondering Mary & Pitiful Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Evening: The Tale-Bearer (Proverbs 26:20-26)
New Life Baptist Church 