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Proverbs 20:19 - Avoid Gossip and Related Misuse of the Tongue.

Proverbs 20:19 (NIV) A gossip betrays a 
confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. 

Proverbs 20:19 (CWR) A gossip can never keep 
a secret, so dont share confidences with a 
person who talks too much. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Among the many ways we can use our words 
to hurt others, three of them are backbiting, 
gossip, and flattery. 
   The word used for backbite in Hebrew 
means "to play the spy." It's a picture of someone 
who collects clues and scraps of information 
regarding a person's character and then relates the 
information to anyone who will listen. 
   Gossip is more subtle because it can veil 
itself in "acceptable" language. People will say, 
"Have you heard?" or "I personally don't believe 
it's true, but I did hear that...... Or, here is 
one of my personal favorites: "I wouldn't 
normally share this, but I know it won't go any 
further. Keep this to yourself." 
   Of course, we Christians like to wrap 
gossip in spiritual language: "I need to tell you 
this about so-and-so so you can pray for them." 
But how often do we really follow through and 
make it a matter of prayer? 
   A more subtle misuse of the tongue is in 
flattery. Flattery is just a fancy lie. It's when you 
say something that is really not true to win a 
person's favor, attention, or approval when you don't 
mean what you said about him or her at all. A 
good definition of gossip and flattery is this: 
Gossip is saying behind a person's back what you 
would never say to his or her face. Flattery is 
saying to a person's face what you would never say 
behind his or her back. 
   That is why James tells us, "If anyone 
does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, 
able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2). 
That is a mark of true spirituality. [Every Day 
with Jesus by Greg Laurie] 

COMMENTARY

On Being Confidential
   Be honest now, can you keep a secret? 
When privileged information passes through one of 
the gates of your senses, does it remain within 
the walls of your mind, or is it only a matter 
of time before a leak occurs? Do you respect a 
person's trust or ignore it, either instantly or 
ultimately? 
   The longer I live, the more I realize the 
scarcity of people who can be fully trusted with 
confidential information. And the longer I live, the more 
I value those rare souls who fall into that 
category! As a matter of fact, if I were asked to list 
the essential characteristics that mark a person 
of integrity and trust, the ability to maintain 
confidences would rank very near the top. 
   A portion of the physician's Hippocratic 
Oath comes to mind: "And whatsoever I shall see 
or hear in the course of my profession ... if 
it be what should not be published abroad, I 
will never divulge, holding such things to be 
holy secrets." 
   We would be justly offended by a doctor 
who treated our "holy secrets" lightly. The same 
applies to a minister or an attorney, a counselor or 
a parent, a teacher or a secretary, a 
colleague or a friend. Especially a close friend. 
   Solomon wrote some strong words 
concerning this subject in his Proverbs. Listen to his 
wise counsel and remember it the next time you 
are tempted to run off at the mouth: 
      1. When there are many words, 
transgression is unavoidable, but he who  
      restrains his lips is wise. (10:19)
      2. He who goes about as a talebearer 
reveals secrets, but he who is  
      trustworthy conceals a matter. (11:13)
      3. The one who guards his mouth 
preserves his life; the one who opens  
      wide his lips comes to ruin. (13:3)
      4. He who goes about as a slanderer 
reveals secrets, therefore do not  
      associate with a gossip. (20:19)
   In light of these scriptural admonitions, 
I suggest we establish four practical ground 
rules: 
      1. Whatever you're told in confidence, 
do not repeat.  
      2. Whenever you're tempted to tell a 
secret, do not yield.  
      3. Whomever you're talking about, do 
not gossip.  
      4. However you're prone to disagree, 
do not slander. 
   Be honest now, can you keep a secret? 
Prove it. 
   A confidence kept gives others confidence 
in you. [Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Proverbs 20:19 - Avoid Gossip: 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100803-0829.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (currently live): 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657