Shut up

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SHUT UP

Prov 26:20

20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

NIV

And so gossip fans the flame of a quarrel. Once again, if we are not part of the problem and we are not part of the solution, keep the heck out of the situation. However this also means keeping our mouth shut as well. It is one thing not to get involved in the quarrel by taking sides with one of the quarrelers or for that matter trying to get involved as an arbitrator without being asked. But it is entirely different being the one who spreads the news about this quarrel. The quarrel might well be overcome by the two people having it, if left alone and they are allowed to process their feelings and work through their differences, seeking a resolution between them. However is everyone around is now aware of their quarrel, it is a sure thing some of the new informants of this quarrel are going to take sides and make sure one of the two is told they are in the right and the other is wrong and needs to apologize first. So now we have a gathering of supporters on each side of the quarrel and it would seem the two who began cannot do anything but keep going because of the groupies on each side. Then of course each of their supporters tell more to garner more support for their friend. Gossip has become rampant throughout the local community of believers. It seems we cannot help but want to tell someone about something they are not aware of. So if we are not part of the problem and we are not part of the solution and we are not one of the two who have a quarrel, stay out of it and keep our mouth shut.