Wow! Proverbs hits hard on those who don’t control their mouths! Today’s reading boldly deals with gossipers, liars, and babblers who know it all.
For the perception of wisdom babblers try to create through the massive number of words they spew, they are those whose lives usually fall flat on their faces in disaster (Proverbs 10:8, 14 NLT). These people can’t shut their mouths. They go on and on about everything—always right, of course. Sadly, they also can’t be instructed because they know everything. They always have a better angle on what you are trying to say.
Then there is the liar. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed (Proverbs 12:19, NLT). One of the liar’s trademarks is that they are deceived themselves. Since lies are soon exposed, the liar must lie again. Eventually, they cannot keep their lies straight in their minds, and they begin losing their mooring as a person. They eventually lose the soundness of their mind. They become that person everyone knows you can’t believe a word they say—herein is the liar’s ultimate self-deception; they think people believe them. How sad!
The gossiper. One of the trademarks of the gossiper is they love to tell secrets, and in the end, they have no friends. A gossip goes around telling secrets… (Proverbs 11:13, NLT) With their words, the godless destroy their friends… (Proverbs 11:9, NLT) Be careful about receiving secrets from the gossiper, lest you divulge your own for everyone to hear!
Perhaps this verse sums it up. It’s blunt but sound wisdom! Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Proverbs 10:19, NLT) Ouch! But honestly, we know it’s good advice!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 10-12.