Easy To Get Caught Up In!

Some things are easy to get caught up in simply because we are close enough to be ensnared. It can be like stepping on a net and soon finding ourselves entangled in it. Therefore we need to watch our step and consider what we get drawn toward.

Solomon stated. . .
"(19) Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler." ( Proverbs 20:19 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads. . .
"A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers."

Babblers and chatterers are those who talk too much. In the midst of so much talk they often let things slip that should not be said. Hanging around such people can cause us to get drawn into being a contributor to the flow of information. Even if we don't intend to pass on the information, by standing and listening to it we may come away with a tainted view of the individual spoken of and we stand the chance of letting it slip out in conversation at some other time. Also, if someone is talking to us about others, it is very likely they talk to others about us.

Sometimes gossip takes place under the guise of concern or helpfulness. But, if we have someone share their own need for prayer with us, we should guard that confidence they have shown in us and not pass it along to others for prayer UNLESS they have given us permission to do so. [Of course there are the exceptions when someone is endangering themselves or others and in such cases only someone who can really help should be contacted.]

Don't become part of the chain. We may be able to trust our source, but can we be sure the one who told us was to trust theirs? Things have a way of getting mixed up, twisted, and exaggerated as the information travels from one person to another. This is truly the type of activity to AVOID!

Have a great day AVOIDING THE CHAIN GANG!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent for 05/14/1999 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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See other teEn-MAIL on Gossip