Words Can Hurt You

A current insurance commercial makes me chuckle. A cowboy riding off into the sunset is unexpectedly knocked off his horse by "THE END" as he rides under (but not quite clear of) those words on the screen. Words can really hurt you!

Proverbs 16:28 "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends."  NIV

Proverbs 16:28 "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." ESV

In the same chapter of Proverbs, the opposite result comes from encouragement:

Proverbs 16:21 "The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction." NIV

Proverbs 16:21 "The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." ESV

In Children's Bible Hour we listen to a song about gossip. The song was written by Keith Lancaster to encourage young list

eners to watch what they say behind someone's back. We all need to think before we speak about someone without knowing facts.

Don't Be Talkin' 'Bout Friends

Words and music: Keith Lancaster © 1989 Anthony K. Music (ASCAP).  The link below will let you listen to Acapella sing the song      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsG1mx9u8H0

Lyrics:

Of all the things to do to a friend

You hurt them by your tongue.

Relationships will fatally end

Without a knife or gun.

Waitin' till you're back behind them,

Then you put them down

How could you be talkin' 'bout them

When they're not around?

Chorus:

Don't be talkin' 'bout friends when they're not around

Don't be cuttin' their hearts and puttin' them down.

Don't be temptin' the Lord and makin' Him frown,

Don't be talkin' 'bout your friends when they're not around.

How all the gossip falls on our ears

It doesn't make much sense,

How we can cause the innocent tears,

Not helping their defense.

Listening, we all should fear it,

Listening is wrong.

If there were no one to hear it

It could not go on.

Repeat Chorus

Too many friendships have been broken

By just a simple, careless word spoken.

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Don't be talkin' down, throwin' down, cuttin' down friends

Why not treat them more like friends (when they're not around)?

Don't be saying lots of things, overlook the hurt it brings

Don't be talkin' bout your friends (when they're not around).

Speak directly to someone rather than about a person without knowing facts. Find the truth first. Encourage, don't discourage and dishearten.

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." ESV

 

We may not recognize that we are spreading gossip. What we say to others may be disguised as "conversation" or "concern". If you have a concern about a brother or sister, the directive from Matthew 18 should be followed. We cannot build up the Church if we allow the evil one rein over our tongue rather than the Spirit of God.

Don't listen to gossip. It is divisive. It will grow and morph as it spreads to others. Churches have split over untruths. Guard your heart from the evil one through Christian love.

Dear God, Please continue to guide our thoughts and words. Help us to encourage others, and build them up. We need your Spirit in us to prevent discord that festers and breaks apart our Christian family.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX