(Prov 26:20&21 GNB) Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarreling stops. Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” After talking about the foolish and lazy here Solomon talks to us about gossips and troublemakers. Gossips ignite a fire of strife with their slanderous words and troublemakers keep the fire going by adding wood whenever the fire is dying down. Without question, the fire caused by gossip has consumed countless families, relationships, careers, and reputations. It’s unfortunate, but gossip and the like will always be prevalent in the world, but as a believer you must never participate in it. Jesus said, “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come.” Jesus acknowledged the fact that there will always be people in the world who perform offensive acts towards others. But Jesus went on to say, “But woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Mat 18:7). In other words, don’t be the person causing the offense; don’t be the person instigating the strife. This person is going to reap exactly what he or she is sowing, and it will not be good.
Back in chapter six, listed among the “7 Sins that God Hates” is: “He that sows discord among brethren.” The Father hates it when someone sows seeds of discord. The Father wants us to walk in accord with Him and one another, but when people go around sowing seeds of discord it disrupts the unity and it interferes with what God wants to do in the earth. Powerful things can happen when we operate in unity. The Bible has a lot to say about this. Even before God established His covenant with Abraham we see an example of this in Genesis. In the 11th chapter of the Genesis we see how the people decided to build a tower up to heaven. Now, although their motive was not pure, their method was extremely effective. Since they were completely united, on one accord, and working together, the Bible says that there was literally nothing they could not accomplish (Gen 11:6). We should all learn a lesson from them. There is tremendous power in unity. Later Solomon said, “Two are better than one” (Ecc 4:9). That may be a simple statement, but it carries a powerful message. And that is why God is so against the disruption caused by gossiper and troublemakers. Without knowing it, they are actually being used of the enemy to hinder God to operating through His people in the earth.
Some years ago the following appeared in the Atlanta Journal: “I am more deadly than the screaming shell of a howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. I never forget and seldom forgive. My name is Gossip!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Powerful things can happen when you come together in complete unity with others.
2. The devil wants to disrupt the flow of God’s power in the earth and one of his greatest tactics is getting people to sow seeds of discord.
3. A gossip starts the fire and a troublemaker adds wood to keep it going, never let it be said that you are either!
4. Stop complaining about those who irritate you. If you stop talking about them, you will see the fire of their irritation go down and eventually burn out.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word is the standard by which I attempt to live every day. I take self-inventory today to ensure that I am not igniting any fires with gossip and that I am not the troublemaker who keeps the fires burning. I am a peacemaker and not a peace breaker. I come together with those You have ordained for me to connect with and as we unite as one, we are able to get much more done, in the earth, for Your glory! I walk in accord, and not discord; with all those You have destined to be part of my life’s story. I am excited about today and I am ready to make a difference! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
