G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. Thompson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1902

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. Thompson

Whispering

G. B. THOMPSON

“A FROWARD man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” Prov. 16:28.

Did you ever see a whisperer? Are there any of these discord makers in your church? Have you ever indulged in this wicked thing? It is closely allied to backbiting. The whisperer usually appears to be a very conscientious, sanctimonious individual, your pretended friend, your professed brother or sister in the faith of Jesus. Instead of looking to behold the Master’s presence in you, he is constantly looking for failures; the things “of good report” are not so interesting as are evil tidings.

When a defect, supposed or real, is seen or is heard of, this separator of “chief friends” does not go to the offender to find out if the report is true. To do this in brokenness of spirit would be like the Great Shepherd, who gave his life for the sheep. But instead he goes to some one else, and whispers, hints, and insinuates. “I will tell you, but you must not say anything about it. Brother [or Sister] — is a very nice person, but —.” An unproved report is set forth with an air of confidence, and a doubt concerning some one in the church is placed in the mind, which, if not eradicated, will bear a poisonous crop; it will separate brethren and sisters here, and, perchance, in eternity.

This whole business is devilish. The devil was the first whisperer. In heaven he whispered his disaffection among the angels, a word here and a word there, and caused the revolt of nearly a third of the angelic host. He is the instigator of this wicked thing, and all who engage in it are his emissaries.

Such persons are dangerous. They stab you by stealth. While pretending to give the kiss of love, they pierce you with a dagger. No wonder the Lord has placed whispering among the most base and wicked things. 2 Cor 12:20; Rom. 1:29-32. “All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.” Ps. 41:7. “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, the strife ceaseth.” Prov. 26:20, margin.

But, says one, “What must I do when a person comes to me to whisper concerning the supposed frailties of my brethren and sisters?” Prov. 25:23 tells us just what to do: “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” Do not listen; beware of lending your ears to any whose business it is to pull down the reputation of your brethren. And do not forget that those who come to you with secret whispering about your brethren and sisters will go to some one and whisper slanderous gossip about you sooner or later. If they come to you with such a mission, freeze them out. Be as cold as a north wind. Let your countenance show that you disapprove of such a wicked work. If a brother has erred, go to him, and in the spirit of love and kindness point out his error. This will help him, and perhaps save him from being overcome upon this point another time.