Sunday 4-30-23 1st. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Iyar 9 5783, 42nd. Spring Day
Read: Proverbs 18:1–8 | Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 8–9; Luke 21:1–19
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels. Proverbs 18:8
The newspaper declared that Pep had taken the life of the cat belonging to the governor’s wife—but he didn’t do it. The only thing he may have been guilty of was chewing the sofa at the governor’s mansion.
Pep was a rambunctious young Labrador retriever owned by Pennsylvania’s governor Gifford Pinchot in the 1920s. The dog actually was sent to Eastern State Penitentiary, where his mug shot was taken with a prisoner identification number. When a newspaper reporter heard about it, he made up the cat story.
Because his report appeared in the newspaper, many believed Pep really was a cat-killer.
Israel’s King Solomon knew well the power of misinformation. He wrote, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:8). Sometimes our fallen human nature causes us to want to believe things about others that aren’t true.
Yet even when others believe untruths about us, God can still use us for good. In reality, the governor sent Pep to prison so he could be a friend to the inmates there—and he served for many years as a pioneer therapy dog.
God’s purposes for our lives still stand, regardless of what others say or think. When others gossip about us, remember that His opinion—and His love for us—is what matters most.
How does it encourage you to know that God isn’t affected by what someone may say or think about you? How will you celebrate His perfect love today?
Abba, Father, thank You for making me Your child. Help me to share Your love with others today.
Speaking of the damage gossip does to relationships, Solomon warns, “A gossip separates close friends” (16:28). Gossip is like fuel to a scorching fire that destroys everything in its path (26:20–21; James 3:5–6). Because “a gossip betrays a confidence,” we’re advised to “avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19). For the person who gossips to you will likely gossip about you.
By James Banks|April 30th, 2023
Personal Behavior & Responsibility Proverbs Eighteen:1-8
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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Love, Walter and Debbie
Read: Proverbs 18:1–8 | Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 8–9; Luke 21:1–19
Download MP3
Subscribe to iTunes
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels. Proverbs 18:8
The newspaper declared that Pep had taken the life of the cat belonging to the governor’s wife—but he didn’t do it. The only thing he may have been guilty of was chewing the sofa at the governor’s mansion.
Pep was a rambunctious young Labrador retriever owned by Pennsylvania’s governor Gifford Pinchot in the 1920s. The dog actually was sent to Eastern State Penitentiary, where his mug shot was taken with a prisoner identification number. When a newspaper reporter heard about it, he made up the cat story.
Because his report appeared in the newspaper, many believed Pep really was a cat-killer.
Israel’s King Solomon knew well the power of misinformation. He wrote, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:8). Sometimes our fallen human nature causes us to want to believe things about others that aren’t true.
Yet even when others believe untruths about us, God can still use us for good. In reality, the governor sent Pep to prison so he could be a friend to the inmates there—and he served for many years as a pioneer therapy dog.
God’s purposes for our lives still stand, regardless of what others say or think. When others gossip about us, remember that His opinion—and His love for us—is what matters most.
How does it encourage you to know that God isn’t affected by what someone may say or think about you? How will you celebrate His perfect love today?
Abba, Father, thank You for making me Your child. Help me to share Your love with others today.
INSIGHT
Using a food metaphor, Solomon describes the words of a gossip as “choice morsels” (Proverbs 18:8). This could literally be translated as “things greedily devoured,” a delicious treat. We love to hear and share gossip because it’s tasty and enjoyable. The Good News Translation describes it well: “Gossip is so tasty—how we love to swallow it!” Like food ingested into our inner organs, gossip is easily assimilated into our innermost thoughts. Thus, gossip is readily remembered and retained.Speaking of the damage gossip does to relationships, Solomon warns, “A gossip separates close friends” (16:28). Gossip is like fuel to a scorching fire that destroys everything in its path (26:20–21; James 3:5–6). Because “a gossip betrays a confidence,” we’re advised to “avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19). For the person who gossips to you will likely gossip about you.
By James Banks|April 30th, 2023
Personal Behavior & Responsibility Proverbs Eighteen:1-8
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Read full chapter
Love, Walter and Debbie