FEATHERS IN THE WIND “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” Pro 18:8 “He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Pro 16:28 “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” Pro 16:28 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” Pro 20:19 Once upon a time a man said something about his neighbor that was untrue. The word spread around the village as one person told another. But soon the truth came out-what could the man do? He went to see the village priest, and the priest gave him some strange instructions. “Take a bag full of feathers and place one feather on the doorstep of each person who heard the untrue story you told. Then go back a day later, pick up the feathers, and bring the bag back to me.” So the man did as the priest said. But when he went back to pick up the feathers, nearly all of them were gone. When he went back to the priest, he said, “I did as you said but when I went back the wind had blown the feathers away and I could not get them back.” The priest replied, “So it is with careless words, my son. Once they are spoken, they cannot be taken back. You may ask forgiveness for what you said, but you cannot take your words back. The damage has already been done.” It’s not just that we play fast and loose with the truth. Sometimes we tell 80% of the truth and conveniently forget part of the story. Sometimes we tell all the truth we know, but the part we don’t know changes the whole picture. Sometimes we tell the truth but in such a way as to make someone look stupid. Sometimes we just plain lie. Anyway you slice it, it’s gossip. And it’s hurtful. And it’s wrong. And God hates it. And we should too. There is an easy cure. But it takes tremendous discipline. Keep your mouth shut. It works every time. If you must share what you know, use three questions as guides before telling what you know to someone else. • Is it true? • Is it kind? • Is it necessary? There wouldn’t be any gossip if we used these three questions before speaking. “Spirit of Truth, Holiness, and Love, fill us with Your divine presence that our words may reflect the character of the Lord Jesus.” Amen
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 23:23:06 +0000
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