January 25, 2024
January 25, 2024
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray.
Read: Proverbs 16 (27-30)
Mean people spread mean gossip;
their words smart and burn.
Troublemakers start fights;
gossips break up friendships.
Calloused climbers betray their very own friends;
and walk them down a path that isn’t good.
Be still: First, I want to encourage you to read Proverbs16 in its entirety. As a reminder, these short, concise sayings or proverbs are attributed to King Solomon, who was Israel’s classic wise king. Many of the ideas here are presented in pairs or contrasting statements to emphasize a point and to get the truth across to the audience.
To that point, these three verses in Proverbs 16 speak volumes to what friendship is not and serves as a reminder of the deep hurt and pain that occurs when we speak ill of friends, coworkers, or acquaintances when the entire purpose is only to spread “mean gossip.”
I would certainly like to say that I have never shared “mean gossip” about another person or a friend in my lifetime, but that would not be the truth. However, as I have gotten older and gained a little bit of wisdom, spreading harmful, “mean gossip” is not something I desire or choose to participate in at this point in my life. I do try to redirect my thoughts or unexpected conversations when they come my way, but it is not always easy to thwart “mean gossip” from troublemakers especially when it comes at you in an unexpected way and at the most inconvenient time.
I do know that gossip makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable to the point of experiencing deep hurt inside, especially when I see the ease of others to tear down another without realizing the implications of their words. I realize we will never stop spreading “mean gossip,” it is, unfortunately, the nature of who we are as humans. We like to get into the business of others. So I want to encourage you today to take a moment to give thanks for the ways you choose to lift friends, coworkers, and acquaintances up, instead of engaging in harmful, hurtful gossip that never does good and only brings others down.
Prayer: Gracious God, we are so grateful for the ways you forgive us and love us even on the days when we are not the kind and gentle human beings we are called to be. Help us to be mindful of the words we speak – words that do good and words that only do harm. May we be better at removing mean things from our hearts and mouths to glorify you in all things. Amen.
Pastor Kellie