Monday, October 18, 2010

Words of a Talebearer

"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."  Proverbs 18:8

Tale-bearers are those who secretly carry stories from house to house, which perhaps have some truth in them, but are secrets not fit to be told, or are basely misrepresented, and false colours put upon them, and are all told with design to blast men's reputation, to break their friendship, to make mischief between relations and neighbours, and set them at variance. - Matthew Henry

The word "talebearer" is mentioned 6 times in the Bible. Our text for today is in the Bible TWICE. Proverbs 18:8 and 26:22.

Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

After seeing that God said NOT to go to the people as a talebearer in Leviticus, perhaps one would quickly see that being a talebearer isn't a good thing! But the other verses out of the book of wisdom, Proverbs, also show how much a talebearer can hurt others. Oh, by the way, a talebearer is also known as a gossiper! 

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