“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” Proverbs 18: 8 (NLT)
“The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” (NKJV)
“I heard it through the grapevine…” “A little birdie told me…” Gossiping… Rumors… It’s very hard not to listen to or change the subject when somebody is telling you rumors. Am I right or am I wrong? Look again at the above verses—Solomon compares a rumor to ‘dainty morsels’ or ‘tasty trifles’—it’s as if he was saying- refusing to listen to, or spreading rumors is as difficult as turning down a delicious desert. By saying rumors “sink deep into ones heart” or “they go down into the inmost body, I think he’s saying that just by taking one small morsel of either one creates a taste for more. Just like potato chips, cookies, any kind of sweets—‘You can’t just have one.’ Understand what I’m trying to say? You can resist rumors the same way a determined dieter resists candy—never even open the box. If you don’t nibble on the first bite of gossip, you can’t take the second or third.
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” Proverbs 18: 13
“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” Proverbs 18: 15
“The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.” Proverbs 18: 17
These three verses each give three principles to help us make sound decisions. (1) We need to get the facts before answering. (2) Be open to new ideas. (3) Very important: we must make sure that we hear BOTH SIDES of the story before judging. How many times have we prejudged people or circumstances before getting all of the facts?
“The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.” Proverbs 18: 23 (NLT)
This verse doesn’t condone insulting the poor; it’s simply recording a very unfortunate fact of life. It’s wrong for the rich (or the more fortunate) to treat the less fortunate with contempt and arrogance, and God tells us that He will judge such actions severely. Let’s look at what God has to say in the book of James…”Listen to me dear brothers and sisters, Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” James 2:5. Or look at 1 Corinthians 1: 26-28… “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”… What an amazing scripture…Before my Muscular Dystrophy, I convinced myself I was wise…I also viewed handicapped and disabled people as if they didn’t count for much (I am so embarrassed to admit that, but I used to be arrogantly full of myself!). Now I realize what it’s like to be on the other side. Things that used to be important to me were brought to nothing. I died to myself, and now I finally see it’s all about Jesus.
