Daily Nugget:
“Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:” Psalm 64:2-3
One of the most dangerous weapons David feared, as do people today, is the damage done by the tongue. Many problems we have all faced usually start as words intended to plant doubt, suggestions of wrongdoing, and divisiveness.
“These six things doth the LORD hate:… 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
Most who are disenchanted are cowards, allowing their tongues to do what they dare not do face to face. They rarely approach the person directly with whom they have a problem and attempt to resolve the situation. Instead, they pour their poison privately, where their enemies cannot hear the gossip and defend themselves.
The sin of gossip, backbiting, and planting seeds of discord has always existed. However, I have never seen it as openly practiced and displayed as I am seeing in American politics today.
Those with no better solutions to help their fellow citizens are not even hiding their shame in secretly meeting to destroy those they oppose. Many have openly announced that they are privately meeting to figure out how to overthrow a president or other political power. They have no shame in their evil doings. Unfortunately, that practice is also occurring more in public.
The uncontrolled tongue will never be silenced unless the heart of the tale-barer is changed. Unfortunately, people weaponizing deceitful, dishonest words rarely repent of their actions. Instead of holstering their destructive weapon, they give excuses to justify their iniquity. However, there is never a justifiable reason to sin.
Countering and explaining accusations is almost impossible, as it is too often done in secret. However, one can stop the gossip one hears.
If one talks to you about others behind their back, one can be assured that they will talk about you when you are not around. You would not like it when others talk about you, so stop it cold when you hear gossip.
My wife’s method is to stop the talebearer mid-sentence and make it clear that she does not want to talk about anyone. She seldom minces her words and tells them she does not listen to gossip. Often, they defend themselves that “It is not gossip,” but their talking about others is usually cut short.
Occasionally, when one tries to dump their poison in my ears, I have handled it differently. After hearing enough of their complaint to know that talk about another is coming, I have said something to the effect, “Well, let’s get them here and hear their side of the problem ….” One cannot discern truth unless both sides of a situation are heard.
The person usually stutters and changes their tune; “Well, I may not be totally correct, so let’s not tell them …” or something similar. That usually puts an end to talking about others.
The best way to stop gossip or talking about others is not to be a listening ear. Do not listen because one day, the talk may be about you.
Today’s Thought:
“A vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so, men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish.” — Demosthenes
Words to Understand:
Iniquity: sin
Insurrection: an uprising
snares: a trap to catch prey unawares
Today’s Reading:
Psalm 64
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
7 ¶ But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
