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.
Insight
It would be well if every one addicted to the sinfully cruel habit of talebearing would ponder carefully these words. It is an ungodly man who digs up evil, whose lips seem to be set on fire of hell. Such a one will go about scattering the seeds of strife, to result in a harvest of grief and anguish to many a soul. There is no question that whispering and backbiting is one of the greatest curses among Christians. By means of this detestable vice the dearest friends are alienated, misunderstandings of all kinds are created, and many are defiled by the recital of tales which a godly person would seek to cover and forbear ever to repeat. 1
Application
King David reveals a very severe problem in Psalm 52:2–4 “Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, You deceitful tongue.”
Is your tongue being used to build or tear down? Does your love cover a multitude of sins, or do you publish the sins of a friend through your whispering words. What is worst, their repentant sin or your slanderous words? What kind of friend are you?
Motivation
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” James 3:6
What you refuse to repeat, and choose to forget, strengthens a friendship. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please guard my heart and my lips from corruptible thoughts and comments.
1. Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.
