Don't Blow It!

Have you ever been a participant in a balloon blowing contest? With every PUFF of air, the balloon gets larger and larger, until it finally pops. However, for the participants, there may be a bit of apprehension due to the uncertainty of the point at which the balloon ceases its stretching and explodes. When this occurs, there is often more than the “blower” who jumps. Involvement in gossip is about the same.

Someone has stated… “Gossip is like a balloon, it grows bigger with every puff.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie]

When we are faced with gossip, do we “blow it” either by becoming guilty of adding our PUFF and passing it along or by failing to squelch it? In order for gossip to cease, we should be careful we are not adding wind to it. Perhaps we can even find ourselves in a position to take some of the air away in order to deflate the tale and the potential damage that could be done. Otherwise, with every PUFF of the story, the tale gets bigger and bigger until it finally explodes. And who knows who all might be startled at that point and the destruction that can be done?

Solomon wrote…
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is NO WHISPERER, QUARRELING CEASES.” ( Proverbs 26:20 ESV)

Other translations refer the “whisperer” as a “talebearer” (KJV, NKJ) or “gossip” (NIV, NLT). The exhortation is to not be guilty of adding fuel that keeps the gossip going. It’s not kind. It’s not right. And the damage can be irreparable. Let us not blow it!

Have a great day SPEAKING WHAT IS BENEFICIAL!
Carl

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