Proverbs 16:28. a whisperer separates close friends.
The gift of language is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us. In a very real way it is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. God communicates with us, and us with him. Genesis begins with God speaking the universe into existence, and it progresses to God speaking directly and intimately, with Adam and Eve. When Adam first sees Eve, he bursts into song, communicating his oneness with her and his joy in her presence. Truly communication was meant to bind human hearts together.
Proverbs 16:28 warns of those who use words to separate or tear friends apart. The whisperer is the gossip. The word used here is a strong word, one used to describe a malicious gossip. Someone who wants to stir up trouble between others on purpose. Likely they are slanderous, distorting reality in an attempt to shame others, painting them in the worst of lights.
The New Testament also takes a hard stance against gossip. Consider Paul’s warning to us in Romans 1:
Romans 1:28-32. 28Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
The depraved mind, the mind of death, includes gossiping lips and slanderous words.
Peter’s warning is simpler, but no less severe:
1 Peter 4:15-16. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
The Christian should not be a murderer (check), thief (check), criminal (check), or a meddler (che….wait what? Meddling is what I do best).
Why does Christ equate whispering, gossiping, meddling with things like murder, stealing, lying, sexual sin, and even God-hating. Those are all serious sins, the kind forbidden by the Ten Commandments. Gossip is not that big of a deal is it? God thinks it is. Why? Because gossiping, slandering, and meddling all come from the same heart as these other sins. Every wickedness begins in the heart. But in Christ we have the new heart. His new heart of flesh that replaced our old heart of stone. Therefore, every Christian must be able to strive to overthrow wickedness in our hearts in ALL of its forms. In fact, if we can’t stop meddling who’s to say we could stop there?
If we know whose we are in Christ, and if we know all that we have in Christ, then why should we ever need to whisper about others? Why would we ever need to let our jealousy separate close friends?
At the end of the day gossip proves a lack of faith in our hearts. The Word of Christ that dwells in our hearts will always do what all divine communication does – unite, build up, encourage, and give grace.
You: Are you a gossip? Are you meddlesome? What would others say about you?
You in Christ: How does union with Christ allow us to reject gossip in all its forms?
Christ in you: Are there any friends that you need to encourage to be unified today?
Pray: Father, in you I am alright. No need for jealousy and gossip. Use my words today to unite others in your son. Amen.
To Live is Christ 