The Tongue of the Talebearer (Proverbs 20:19)

Secrets are such an integral part of who we are as people. To have one violate that trust can be so destructive.

"He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely." Proverbs 20:19, Amplified

Talebearing, or gossipping, is strictly prohibited by the Lord. If we were to reveal all the secrets of everyone that we knew, divisions would arises where there were no schisms to begin with. There is that line of honesty that a Christian must follow, and to harbor ill will for someone can be detrimental to a relationship. But it is not anybody else's job to reveal that ill will. As Christians we are called to speak the truth in love, not to have someone else do it for us.

We all know those in our own lives who are the gossipers. They are those who talk way too freely about everyone else. And if they speak of everyone else so freely to you, you can guarantee that they speak just as freely about you when you are not around. The best thing about a gossiper, is that they are not easily concealed, everyone knows who they are.

Paul wrote to the Roman Christians about this very thing. "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18, NKJV) Their intent is very clear, they want to cause schism. It has been said that a miserable being must find a more miserable being, then he is happy.

The Mouth (Proverbs 18:6-8)

The mouth can be a golden gift that an orator can use to captivate an audience, or it can be a very destructive tool used by a fool.

"A [self-confident] fool's lips bring contention, and his mouth invites beating." Proverbs 18:6, Amplified

Have you ever witnessed this kind of event? I know when I was still in school there were those who just could not keep their mouths shut and were constantly in fights. This is exactly what this verse is referring to. The wise man knows when to stop talking, but the foolish man never knows when to quit. Without wisdom, one never learns certain things, such as the holding of the tongue. I have never hit anyone because of this, but the thought has run through my mind on occasion.

"A [self-confident] fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself." Proverbs 18:7, Amplified

The fool will never quit talking. Since he has not learned the value of silence, he will destroy himself and become his own worst enemy.

"The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body." Proverbs 18:8, Amplified

The Bible takes a slight turn in subject matter at this point. We are no longer talking about the fool, but the mouth is still in frame. A talebearer is a gossiper. Not only does he like to give, but he likes to receive as well. Little bits of gossip are like delicious treats that sustain him. But the life of a gossip is a life of misery, for there is nothing to gossip about other than misery, misfortune and mistakes. Sin will always be a delicious treat whether it is another persons or our own, and either one has the possibility of snaring us.