How does Proverbs 26:22 connect with James 3:5-6 on controlling speech? Opening the Text “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they sink deep into the inmost parts.” “In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how a small spark can set a great forest on fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” The Flavor of Gossip, the Fire of the Tongue • Proverbs paints gossip as “choice morsels”—words that feel pleasant going down yet lodge deep inside listeners. • James pictures the tongue as a tiny spark that can ignite an inferno, scorching everything in its path. • Both images show how deceptively small speech-acts carry outsized, lasting impact. Shared Truths About Speech • Small beginnings, big consequences – A whispered rumor (Proverbs 26:22) and a single boastful word (James 3:5) appear insignificant, yet each unleashes great damage. • Internal penetration – Gossip sinks “into the inmost parts,” shaping attitudes and loyalties. – The tongue “pollutes the whole person,” influencing heart, mind, and behavior. • Difficulty of control – Choice morsels invite more bites; once tasted, hearers crave another story. – A spreading fire outruns efforts to contain it. The uncontrolled tongue is “set on fire by hell,” sourcing its heat from the pit itself. • Moral accountability – Proverbs warns the teller and the hearer: both are complicit in letting poisonous words lodge within. – James warns that every reckless word carries eternal weight (cf. Matthew 12:36). Practical Takeaways • Pause before passing along “tasty” information; if it is not yours to share, refuse to serve it. • Measure words by their end result: will they edify (Ephesians 4:29) or ignite? • Redirect curiosity. When someone offers gossip, change the subject or speak well of the person discussed (Proverbs 17:9). • Pray Psalm 141:3—“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips”—each morning. • Cultivate speech that is “seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6), satisfying without wounding. Guardrails From the Rest of Scripture • Proverbs 18:8 repeats 26:22 verbatim, doubling the warning. • Proverbs 16:28—“A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” • Ephesians 4:31—“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and slander.” • 1 Peter 3:10—“Whoever would love life… must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” Summary Thought Gossip feels sweet going down, yet it burns like wildfire once released; wise believers quench the spark before it leaves their lips and refuse the morsel before it reaches their ears. |
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