How often do you spread rumors? Do you spread them without realizing it? Do you divulge personal information about others without their permission? Do you say things that offend others…on purpose? Do you misrepresent the truth by taking a statement out of context?
The rumor mill is alive and well. Half-truths and lies are spoken daily. People’s personal information is being shared at a record pace. And it happens in our families, friendships, and workplaces. We don’t have to wait for the news to show us what some politician is saying. We hear it from people we know.
Solomon tells us to guard our mouths. He states that if we do, we preserve our life, also could be interpreted as soul. On the contrary, if we allow ourselves to be part of the rumor mill, gossip mill, speak half-truths, speak lies, share information that is not ours to share, we bring ourselves to ruin. This is a difficult principle for us to live by. We, far too often, love to talk about others.
Here’s a quick example. Your child and their spouse give birth to a new baby. Should you be the one to announce it on social media? If you said yes, you are disobeying the principle. Even though you are a grandparent, it is not your news to disclose. That prerogative belongs to your child.
Another quick example. You overhear someone say Jim has cancer. Should you tell others about it? If you said yes, you are disobeying the principle. The news is Jim’s to share. He may have given permission to share it with one other person, not for general consumption, regardless of motives. We are to be wise concerning what we say and when we say it.
I pray we all choose to closely monitor and control what we say. I pray we do not participate in the rumor mill. I pray each one of us will choose to guard our mouth and save our soul. Monitor what you say. Control what you say. Guard your mouth. Save your soul. Follow God’s guidance.
Proverbs 13:3:
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
those who open wide their lips come to ruin.
Marty Pressey 