When Words Sting

If we were to list the ten worst sins that we could think of, how many of us would put gossip on the list? Yet when God identified seven of the things that He hates, He included, by implication, the sin of gossip or misusing our words.

In Proverbs 6 we read, “There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family” (verses 16–19 NLT).

At one time or another, we all have felt the bitter sting of gossip in our lives. Someone told a lie or passed along a story about us that simply wasn’t true.

The psalmist David lamented those who gossiped about him and lied about his character. It obviously was a source of great pain to him because he prayed, “O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips” (Psalm 140:1–3 NLT).

We are living in a wicked, vicious time. It appears that people have an unhealthy appetite for gossip.

David was saying, “Deliver me from people like this, Lord.” That’s because he was facing a carefully planned campaign of slander and lies.

So, what did David do with this concern? We find the answer in Psalm 140:6: “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!” (NLT).

David cast his burden on the Lord. Are you burdened today? Is someone or something troubling you? Cast it on the Lord.

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