Juicy Morsels

There is little debate that “there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Even the most godly Christians are quick to concede that “we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). Thankfully, when it comes to imperfect people engaging in imperfect fellowship the Bible tells us “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Unfortunately though, the gossips among us make it their aim to neutralize this divinely sanctioned “oil of love”, which God provides to grease the gears of Christian unity. These perverse and selfish personalities whisper and mutter as they steady the spotlight on any hint of imperfection to leverage others’ shortcomings into something truly demonic (James 3:14-16). What would otherwise be forgiven and forgotten is protracted and exacerbated by the work of these satanic emissaries (2 Timothy 2:23-26). “For lack of wood the fire goes out,” the Bible says, “and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26:20). While Christ works to establish love and harmony among his people, the “whisperer” toils to “separate close friends” (Proverbs 16:28). The latest gossip may be a kind of “delicious morsel” to the twisted appetite (Proverbs 18:8), but we would be wise to build up a strong distaste for the kind of private conversations that do so much to tear apart what Christ gave his life to bring together. -- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Juicy Morsels please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Words

When reading through Proverbs one can’t help but perceive a handful of predominant and recurring themes. One of the most persistent sets of exhortations relates to our chronic tendency to say too much. Over one hundred seventy inspired proverbs seek to impress on our hearts that fools are “babblers” and the wicked are “rash” with their words, but the wise “restrain their tongues”. We are warned in dozens of ways that “When words are many, transgression is not lacking” (Proverbs 10:19). Sounds easy – say less and you’ll sin less – but it’s not. It may be simple, but it’s certainly not effortless. The words of a gossip, for instance, are said to be “delicious morsels” (Proverbs 18:8). We love to hear them, and in turn we find an evil pleasure in feeding them to the ears of our friends. But as with food, our gluttonous hearts must learn to show restraint. It is easy to dispense our critical, cutting or belittling commentary in just about any situation, but the wisdom of Proverbs tells us, “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent” (Proverbs 11:12). So whether it’s the exaggeration of self-promotion, the belittling of gossip, or the expedience of betraying a confidence, let us all take to heart the wisdom of God which promises that “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life” but the one “who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).