Some plain talk about talk...

"The Snake That Poisons Everything"

I found the following in a church bulletin from the 1980s...

"It topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, and destroys reputations; causes heartaches, nightmares, and indigestion; spawns suspicion, generates grief, and dispatches innocent people to sob and cry on their pillows. Even the name of the snake hisses. It's called gossip -- office gossip, party gossip, neighborhood gossip, [social media gossip], even church gossip.

"Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not, then let the story die with you."

Wow! That's just plain good.

I've said it before and bears repeating; Rev. Johnny Smith said the three basic rules for repeating something or saying anything are as follows:
--Is it true?
--Does it need to be said?
--Are YOU saying it to act in love?

Many things are true but not of truth; many things are fact, but don't need to be said. Many things need to be said, but, because they are not being said to act in love should not be said.

Proverbs 20:19 says "...do not associate with a simple babbler." Whew... that would knock out most conversation in our culture!

My daughter Rachel's favorite verse is Ephesians 4:29, which says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Here are some of my favorite verses about speech: 

• “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20 ESV) 
• “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:2 ESV) 
• “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.” (James 1:26 ESV) 
• “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” (Psalm 34:13 ESV) 
• “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.” (Exodus 23:1 ESV) 
• “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:16 ESV)

We can't fix everyone else, but we can go to work on our words...