Strange Morsels

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

I find the translation “dainty morsels” (3859) (NASB) to be strange.  I find the “wounds” of the KJV to be even stranger.  The definition of the word is “to swallow greedily”.  The translation brings to mind awesome cookies that melt in your mouth.  The definition speaks of shoveling it in as fast as possible.  Either way it is something that the eater wants.  Such is the nature of gossip.  It has an addictive fascination with many people.  It is what stimulates people to read, and sometimes even buy, the gossip magazines at the check out.  It is the attraction that keeps much of what is on daytime TV alive and well.  People want to know the dirt.  

I think this is intended as a warning to us.  There are inclinations we can resist and we need to resist them for our spiritual health.  In many cases you know who the gossips are.  In many cases you can avoid them.

So?  Keep your mind empty of what these people want to say.  It is easier to avoid than to erase.