Gossip

DEVOTION

PROVERB

GOSSIP

Prov 21:28

28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.  

NIV

There is a little discussion among the translators about this one as the Hebrew words might have several meanings depending on how they are seen in context. This translation has a foot note that says “or/ the words of an obedient man will live on”

The King James version states:

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

KJV

Other versions have inserted "listens to the truth will endure". So it seems there is a duel way in which we could see this proverb. First we always know the false witness will perish, that is a given. To spread false rumors about someone is being nothing more than, first a liar, and second maligning someone’s character. How could anyone who speaks in such a manner not perish? A believer, a follower of Jesus Christ would never say such things about another person. However, it is even worse. During the time of Solomon making this statement there were not followers of Jesus, but only followers of the Almighty God. So then even those people who believe in God, but are not born again followers of Jesus, would or should not speak in such a manner, for if they do, they will perish. The second half of this proverb is where the not so given resides. If we approach it from the first version of the NIV, then we would have to say anyone who listens to the false witness, which implies believes that what that false witness says, will also perish. To accept the lies about someone, agreeing with them regarding the despicable character of another is in fact being despicable. What it comes down to is gossips will perish. But the person who speaks the truth will live on forever. We know the truth, the gospel message. Jesus is the truth. If we vary from speaking about Jesus we might well be in danger of perishing. That is not to say our salvation has been taken from us, but it is to say we are walking away from it. We cannot be believers in Jesus and partake in gossip, either speaking it or in listening to false unfounded rumors about what someone said, or did. If we are to love everyone, the love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love protects, love trusts, it hopes and preserves. Being a follower of Jesus means we will always speak kindly about others. We will not listen to the gossip, not partake in, but rather disapprove in a loving way of course. The fact is we like taking about other people. It makes us feel good to speak about either how someone else chooses to live, or their problems or troubles. The problem is we never really know all the truth of their situation. We might only have half of it, from listening to one side, or one version, and then not really knowing if that version is the truth or a false version of the truth. So then we find ourselves listening to a false witness, and we know the end result. This is not to say we should shut people off, or not be concerned about the lives of those who come in contact with, but we need to be careful as to what we listen to and the condition of our ears. Are our ears tickled by what we hear? Do we want more information, to what end? We have always said if we are not part of the problem and we are not part of the solution, we do not need to know the particulars of the situation, otherwise it is just gossip. Let us be careful what we listen to and what we speak.