The Tongue Part 11

“The Talebearer”

INTRODUCTION

As we continue our consideration of the Biblical insights regarding the tongue, we now consider the words of a “talebearer.”  Early in Scripture we begin to see God’s thoughts and admonitions against being a “talebearer.”

Leviticus 19:16 , You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

[talebearer (raw-keel’) = a scandal-monger (as travelling about), slanderer, carry tales, an informer, a peddler of secrets, a huckster, a spy] 

Let’s explore what God speaks about this subject.

I.         THE TALEBEARER AND BETRAYAL

   A.  Choices.

Proverbs 11:13,  A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

1.  Presenting.

a.  Reveals. [uncover, reveal (in a disgraceful sense),  shamelessly show]

b.  Secrets. [familiar conversation, secret council, council (of familiar

      friends)]

2.  Protecting. 

a.  Faithful. [to support, confirm, be faithful]

b.  Conceals. [to cover, to hide]

c.  Matter. [words, acts, case, business]

   B.  Choosing.

Proverbs 20:19,  He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

    1.  Relationships. [associate = to traffic with, intermix, mingle]

       a.  Flatters. [(in a sinister way) to delude, allure, deceive, persuade…smooth

                            talk, sweet talk]

    2.  Your Relationships.

          a.  Family.

             1)  Your Spouse. Oftentimes, your effectiveness in living out your faith

      can be directly connected to your spouse’s perspective of the

      Christian life.

            2)  Your Children. This is why it is so important to train them up in the

      ways of the Lord.

              b.  Authority Relationships. When authority speaks into your life…pay

      attention. 

1) Influence. When God desires to advance or promote you, He will

       usually put someone in your life who will help you. When the devil

       wants to destroy you, he will usually put someone in your life to

       distract you.

            c.  Friends. Proverbs 12:26

               1)   Your friends affect your future.

               2)   Every relationship is either a weakness or a strength…an asset or a

        liability.

3)   Every relationship will either move you toward God or away from

                                                             Him.

4)   Some relationship will multiply God’s wisdom in you…others will

  diminish it. Proverbs 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

5)   A friendship can abort or advance God’s plan for your life.

        I Corinthians 15:33, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts

                      good character.”

II.   THE TALEBEARER AND INWARD WOUNDS

James 3:5, Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! Proverbs 18:8, The words of a talebearer are like wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 26:22,  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. "Gossip is what no one claims to like, but everybody enjoys,"

   A.  The Devastation of Gossip.

1.  Wounds. [to burn in, to rankle (eat up, gnaw, annoy, irritate]  

2.  Innermost. [innermost or inward part]  

   B.  The Disobedience of the Gossiper.

1.  Prohibition. Ephesians 4:29, Romans 1:29  (of the unrighteous) being filled with

 all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; 

full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  

III.      THE TALEBEARER AND STRIFE

   A.  The Source of Strife. (Proverbs 26:20-21)

1.  Strife. [quarrel, contention, brawling, discord, trouble]

2.  Ceases. [be quiet and calm, to subside]

   B.  The Stirring of Strife. (Proverbs 28:25)

1.  Stirs. [to grate, to meddle, to anger, contend…stir up]

   C.  The Suffering of Strife. (Judges 6:1-10)

         Judges 6:1, Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the

        LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian [strife] for seven years, 

                  1.  Strife Prevailed. v2a, and the hand of Midian [strife] prevailed against Israel...

                                    a.  Prevailed. [to be stout, overcome, triumph]

2.  Strife Displaces. v2b…Because of the Midianites [strife], the children of Israel

      made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the

      mountains.

3.  Strife Steals Fruit. v4, Then they would encamp against them and destroy the

      produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither 

     sheep nor ox nor donkey. 

4.  Strife Destroys. v5, For they would come up with their livestock and their tents,

     coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without

     number; and they would enter the land to destroy it. [ruin, decay, corrupt, pervert,

     waste]

5.  Strife Impoverishes. v6, So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the

     Midianites [strife], and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. [impoverished = 

     low, emptied, oppressed, not equal, less than]

6.  Strife Comes From Disobedience. v10, ‘Also I said to you, “I am the LORD your

     God: do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have

     not obeyed My voice.’ ”

7.  Strife Ceased. God raised up Gideon to remove strife.

CONCLUSION

We cannot tame the tongue, but the Holy Spirit helps us as we seek to obey His Holy Word!