Things We Shouldn’t Like
Proverbs 17:4 NLT
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander.
Spilling the tea. Digging up dirt. Getting the lowdown. The word on the street. Throwing shade. Mudslinging. What is it about these things that have such appeal? Sadly, the appeal may be human, but it isn’t godly.
Our verse for today is clear. If we look at this verse in other translations, the impact is not buffered. “An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.” NKJ “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” NIV “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” ESV This is plain. Gossip may be juicy, but it can also be wrong. And slander is wrong any way you go. So the plan is to avoid listening and avoid seeking it out. Above all, avoid being the one who spreads the gossip or slander.
The challenge is that gossip and slander are prevalent. And not only prevalent but enjoyed and engaged in even by believers. No finger-pointing here; we have all done it. The best option for those of us pursuing God and His ways in our lives is to avoid listening. But if you are caught in a group where it is going on, there are other options available. The first is not responding. When people gossip or slander, you remain stoic as if you are not interested. If people notice you are not engaging and ask why, you have a couple of different answers available. The first is to share our verse for today and declare that you are not a wrongdoer or liar. I advise this course of action if you plan on clearing the room and being left out of all future conversations. The second answer is that there is so much negative in the world and you would rather not hear any more.
Of course, another way to limit the gossip and slander coming your way is to mention something positive about the person being discussed. Or to mention that if the information is true, it is sad. In other words, you are not enjoying the misfortune of others. I am serious here; we are not trying to lord it over those who don’t know better or those who are not believers. But our objective is to live by a different standard. Paul gave us some inspired insight in Ephesians 4:29 and 31 NLT: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”