The Gossip Deli

(Proverbs 26:22 KJV)  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Have you noticed how often people are willing to believe the worst about others.  This is the root of gossip.  Some people, some churches, are like a gossip deli.  They serve up your choice of cold cuts.  Yes, you can accept that as a pun.

Neither the KJV with “wounds” (3859) or the NASB with “dainty morsels” gets to the meaning of this verse.  The word is a verb and means to “gulp, swallow greedily.”  There is something in each of us that grabs at gossip.

So?  This isn’t about not talking, this is about not listening.  This is about rejecting.  Remember the children’s song that has the line,

“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”

Keep a mental lists of places you need to go and things you need to do and then you will be able to excuse yourself and leave.