Stop the Gossiping

 Proverbs 26:20 (Updated NASB, Copyright 2002)
"For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperers, contention quiets down."

I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what "contention" is but decided to look it up. Here ya go:

"Some common synonyms of contention are conflict, discord, dissension strife, and variance. While all these words mean 'a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony,' contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

I still wasn't quite satisfied so I looked up the verse in a different translation:

(NIV, Copyright 1985)
"Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

So there you have it. 

I know for myself, that if I quit talking with others about something that's bothering me  I am much more at peace. And if I focus on praying about the situation it's even better, I had a co-worker one time tell me she was drawn to me because when people started gossiping I walked away. I didn't realize I did that. I give the glory to God for that because all I ever wanted was to be accepted by people. As I've gotten older, I'm less concerned, but I think we all want to be accepted by others.  God has helped me grow through some of that. He is ALWAYS watching over me.


Blessings,

Mary


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