The Serpent's Tongue

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Prov 11:13
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth
​with his lips. Prov 20:19

Yesterday I needed to do some business. As I opened the door and walked in, a woman came in right behind me and went to a door just to my left, which opened almost immediately and another woman greeted her. As I was waiting to speak with someone else, I overheard them talking, and the woman who opened the door from the left began talking about another woman she had associations with, and made statements against her-that she had once liked her, but she had changed, and now wanted nothing to do with her. The other woman chimed in, also slandering and gossiping against this woman-who wasn't there to defend herself. I had two thoughts, I wondered what they would be saying if she was standing there in front of them, and I wondered what the other side of the story would be, and what she'd have to say about it. How convenient it is, for those who find it juicy entertainment-to cut people to pieces with their tongues, when they aren't there facing them. The Bible has some things to say about this-I'll let the word of God break this down.

Tale-bearers Unloading Refuse

​“It was told me in the strictest confidence, but you won’t tell I” “No,” was the quiet reply; “I prefer not to hear it. What right have you to tell what you virtually promised not to communicate; I am sure I have no right, and I have no desire to know what does not belong to me to know.” There are people who use their friends as dumping-grounds, and unload on them any choice bits of scandal they may chance to pick up, as though they were conferring a favour. As long as human nature is what it is, there will be plenty of such unloading to be done; but what noble mind wishes to be put to such ignoble uses, and to have made in any part of his spiritual domain a scavenger heap? The perfect character, like the perfectly kept house, has no dark and dusty corners. It is kept sweet and pure in every part. There is no place where a foul garment or a malodorous rag may be tucked away and hidden. Fire and water and the broom and duster in a modern house keep all things clean. There is no more reason why there should be nesting-places of evil in the soul than why there should be dust upon our furniture. The pure sunlight of God let into dark places cleanses and keeps them clean. The person who in confidence would taint another is not a friend, but an enemy. (Christian Age.)

​The word means “a hawker,” or “travelling-chapman”; and the tale-bearer is a trader in scandal, an itinerant busybody. A shrewd heathen was wont to say, “Tale-bearers should be hung up by the tongue, and tale-hearers by the ears.”

The Poison Venom

The bite of a viper is not so deadly as the wound of these “talebearers’ ” stories and insinuations. The truth is they contrive to infuse their poison without a bite. If they would but appear in their true character;—would they but show their fangs, and make us feel them, we should be put upon our guard. We know the viper. We shun it. And when it has unhappily succeeded in wounding us, we instantly have recourse to means for preventing the poison from getting into the mass of the blood, and pervading the system. But these human vipers infuse their poison in the language of kindness and love. “Their words are smoother than oil; yet are they drawn swords;”—envenomed fangs, of which the virus gets into our system ere we are aware, works its mischievous and morally deadly effects, and becomes incapable of extraction. Every attempt at its removal still leaves some portion of it behind. There is, in the original word, an implication of softness, simplicity, which only gives the secret weapon with which the wound is inflicted the greater keenness.—Wardlaw

Notable Quotes to Ponder

"Show me the kind of friends you have, and the kind of enemies you have, and I'll show you what kind of person you are."
"People may not like you, but they will know what you are by what you stand for, and live for."
Bob Jones Senior

 SIGNS OF A VERBAL ASSASSIN:
1. At the first sign of weakness, the man of fear will separate himself from you. Putting his own reputation above your relationship.
2. At the first sign of weakness, the bully will start to pounce. Though he might have appeared innocent before, now his true nature comes out. Like sharks swimming in water, they will not bother each other. But when one starts to bleed, all come in for the feast. The bully will often confront you in the presence of others, to maximize your shame.
3. The Assassin will not wait until the first sign of weakness appears, he will actively search out your faults, and delights when he finds one. With the appearance of looking for truth, and defending what is right, he is really a predator at heart. And he will actively spread whatever dirt he finds about you, with everyone, in order to discredit you.
4. But at the first sign of weakness, a friend will not attack you; because out of love, his concern is for your restoration. Then at an appropriate time, will advise you of your mistake.

"It is better to be alone than in bad company." George Washington

Mat_12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
2Th_3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
1Ti_5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
See also: Pro_12:18, Pro_16:28, Pro_26:20-22; Lev_19:16; Psa_52:2, Psa_64:3-4