Day 152

Proverbs 20-22:16. “Dangerous Business”

I enjoy reading quotes by Will Rogers, a great social humorist.  One of his comments on chitchat was, “Live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”
In our society we have a lot of jokes and quips about gossip.  We’ve had various comic television series’ for years that have a character portraying a nosey neighbor or town gossip.  The unfortunate thing is that we have somehow missed the serious perception God takes of gossip.  It is not a light, frivolous activity.  Romans 1:29 lists gossip as a wickedness associated with other wrongs as serious as murder.  Gossip is described in today’s passage as harmful and deceitful.  Back a few chapters (16:28), we were told that “gossip separates the best of friends.”  Today we are informed that, “A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much” (20:19).
We are warned not to listen to it, and we are warned not to do it.  “If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble” (21:23).

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?