Big Mouth

The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth. - Proverbs 20:19

How many lives, families, churches, communities, even nations have been destroyed by the simple three-word question, "Have you heard?"

"Loose lips sink ships" was used during World War II to stifle the public's desire to reveal information, but loose lips can sink more than ships. In most churches the favorite hymn could be "I Love to Tell A story." It's not that we often lie about others (slander them), but rather that we love to reveal a secret. Yet even the truth shared with the wrong people can be very harmful.

Here's a simple plan for limiting gossip. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your tongue and if you ever have any doubts about revealing sensitive information, just remind yourself to shut up. If anyone ever asks you, "Have you heard?" just say, "No and I probably shouldn't."

Gossip is when you hear something you like about someone you don't. - Earl Wilson