Daily Devotional – Monday, October 30, 2023
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
Proverbs 26:20 (NKJV)
There was general apathy in the congregation. Church membership was dwindling. Some of the active members were now mere churchgoers. Those who remained somehow active were doing it halfheartedly. The church was on a sickbed, and several talebearers were to blame.
A Person Who Spreads Gossip
According to Dictionary.com a talebearer is “a person who spreads gossip, secrets, etc., that may cause trouble or harm.” In this church, three of these blabbermouths specialized in causing infighting among members. Their work was to collect information from one church member and misrepresent it to another.
Church members feared to talk in church because they risked having their views misconstrued. They preferred to keep silent and participate less in church activities. Meanwhile, the gossipers persisted unperturbed with their wicked ways. It did not take long before the latent conflict escalated into open confrontations.
Blabbermouths Cause Strife
King Solomon aptly described these subtly divisive characters when he wrote, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20). In essence, as long as we have chatterboxes in our societies and churches, conflicts will never cease.
What pleasure does a professed believer derive from spreading false information or misrepresenting what other people say? Does the devil not clap in happiness when a few people cause strife in the body of Christ? Should we not put off the fire of strife by stopping to gossip about our fellow believers?
Do Not Be a Talebearer
Today, take a moment to reflect on how you communicate. Do you take time to think about the truth of the information you are spreading? If you researched more about the information and secrets you are holding about other people, would you spread them? Do not be a talebearer. Rather, let your communication minister grace other believers.
Prayer
Almighty Father, forgive me for the times I have slandered people, and help me not to be a talebearer.
Dear friend, to ensure we continue serving you with daily devotionals without fail, please do the following:
1. Comment on this devotional.
2. Share this devotional on social media
3. Click on the ads to help generate income for hosting and sustaining this website.
God bless you.
4. Subscribe to our email list by clicking on the green ENVELOPE icon.
5. Buy our 365-day devotional book – Daily Family Devotions, Volume 1, on Amazon, or directly from us by calling +254721591069
If you have not read our Kindle book or bought the Paperback version, you are missing out on abundant blessings. Daily Family Devotions is the resource you need to boost your spiritual walk with God. Get it now: https://amzn.to/3Ey6AZu
Amen!Thanks for this, came in just in time when I Have Experienced this first hand in my congregation,and has plagued the church, I’m compelled to share this to all.
I’ve had members leave the church, some become domant again, inactive, fearful and others not in good speaking terms, never realized how talebearering can be of such great detrimental to a community.
May God help us never to be talebearers because it’s unfitting for a Christian. We should embrace care and love in a community of Christians.
Indeed, Elder. Talebearers often cause strife and division in the church. We need to pray for them and counsel them before they cause more damage.