The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the tongue:
Proverbs 20:19 (NASBStr)
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)
19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
Proverbs has a lot to say about the tongue, speech and the power of communication. The power of the tongue is never underestimated by Solomon. The tongue, according to James, is like a rudder of ship ... very small but able control thousands of tons of weight (James 3:4). Similarly the tongue can and does, at times, move organizational cultures in the wrong way. Balaam, the prophet of old, moved the nation of Israel in the wrong direction by simple counsel from the tongue. The slanderers in Corinthian were bragging about the immorality known by all. They were bringing down the entire church by their gossip. The use of the tongue can destroy all those in hearing of its sting. In the above lines the person who speaks poorly about others and the one who simply carries the narratives of others are both indicated as dangerous. We are told not to associate with them. We might think we can trust them. In fact they pride themselves on soliciting information from the unaware. When we trust them they reveal our secrets to others. Remember, the tongue is as dangerous as a little flame to a dry forest. It sets about the flame that destroys the land. So, too, the tongue, despite its size. Beware of the tongue.
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