Proverbs 18:8

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 gossip:

Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Each line of a Hebrew poem works in conjunction with the other. In this proverb the second line gives further information about the first line. The subject mentioned here is on gossip. The first line characterizes the “words” of gossip as choice morsels; sounding delicious and delectable. When a person spreads gossip they make it sound as though they are taken aback by the subject and they are sharing something of “grave importance” about another. But, in the end the words go to the very inner being to hurt those who are being talked about … “to the man’s inmost parts.” When people gossip they may make it sound delightful and others may lean in a little closer to hear the beauty of the words being spoken, even though they are harmful. But, in the end, they are like spears in the stomach of the person being spoken about. We need to be careful as we listen to a great story told by a great gossip. Remember, however, it is piercing someone, some place.   James warns us that words are like a match that starts a forest fire:

James 3:5-6

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

The words of a gossip can set an entire organization on fire.   Don’t be the one with this type of match in your mouth.