Dec 2.97: Light For The Day - "Gossip!"

"A gossip betrays a confidence,
But a trustworthy man keeps a secret."
-- Proverb 11:13 (NIV)

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"Gossip!"

One junior high school boy confided in another his
love for a certain girl. The first boy asked the second
one to keep his secret. By the end of the school day,
the rumor was all around about the boy and girl. 

The first boy was mortified as others mocked him
and teased the girl he liked. In shame, the boy ran
home, and in the weeks ahead he avoided both his
friend and the girl of his affections. 

Through a thoughtless and cruel act, one person was
able to shame another and build walls that blocked
a relationship from ever starting.

Gossip is one of the sinful and selfish acts we can
engage in. It robs others of their honor, and places
them in positions of mockery. Gossip can never
build up, but only destroy. It casts doubts, and puts
others down.

God favors the woman or man who keeps silence
when a friend confides in them. Trust is one of the
most powerful forces on earth. Every good
relationship has trust as its cornerstone, even our
relationship to God. When we learn to trust God,
We have the weight of the world lifted from our
shoulders. We can live in faith, knowing that God
works all things for good, and that He will be with
us always.

PRAYER: 
When a friend speaks to me in confidence, let me
be trustworthy and devoted. Seal my lips from
ever saying anything which brings another person
shame or grief. May the words of my mouth be a
blessing. Amen.

-- Dan & Nancy Dick

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Proverbs 26:17-28 (TEV) - "Gossip!"

"17- Getting involved in an argument that is none
of your business is like going down the street
and grabbing a dog by the ears.

18- Someone who tricks someone else and then
claims that he was only joking is like a crazy
person playing with a deadly weapon.

20- Without wood, a fire goes out; 
Without gossip, quarreling stops.

21- Charcoal keeps the embers glowing,
Wood keeps the fire burning, and
Troublemakers keep arguments alive.
....... 

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