A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A whispering gossip sows conflict and strife and separates even the closest friends. Vendors of gossip cause difficulties by whispered hints and suggestions that poison unsuspecting minds, and mischief-makers are helped in their evil work by the many who stand with open ears and evil heart saying, Report, and we will report it. Such conduct serves the cause of evil, and those who bear false witness and sow discord in this way damage another person's standing.
Whispering works by hints, suggestions, and secret talk born of suspicion that poison unsuspecting minds and create distrust. Malicious suggestions turn innocent words so that they come to look like attacks, separating people who should be friends.
The sower of strife is a deceitful, quarrelsome, tale-bearing person whose speech includes gossip, false witness, suspicion, censure, and backbiting. Sharp, harsh words spoken in a hard, rasping tone can also stir anger and passion, separate friends, and result in the loss of souls. In the church this tale-bearing damages fellowship, disturbs its peace, and sacrifices its unity, and the mischief is aided by those who listen eagerly and pass the report along.
The verse applies to repeating suspicions and unguarded remarks, turning small matters into serious accusations, and injuring those entrusted with responsibility. It applies to letting complaints against a fellow worker spread without fair dealing, which damages reputation and influence and awakens envy, jealousy, and evil suspicion. Those who cause this harm are accountable to God for it, and believers must not injure another person's reputation or position.
A harmful secret is not relieved by spreading it to listeners. It should be handled by speaking privately with the person concerned, then with one or two others if needed, and finally before the church if those steps fail. Matters belonging to the church must not be disclosed to unbelievers and enemies of the faith, lest the failings of believers be exposed.
Gossip must not be tolerated among followers, nor repeated in the family, and parents must not permit its repetition or remarks disparaging church members. Controlling the voice and refusing harsh, anger-stirring speech helps prevent the separation of friends and the loss of souls.
A whispering gossip sows conflict and strife and separates even the closest friends. Vendors of gossip cause difficulties by whispered hints and suggestions that poison unsuspecting minds, and mischief-makers are helped in their evil work by the many who stand with open ears and evil heart saying, Report, and we will report it. Such conduct serves the cause of evil, and those who bear false witness and sow discord in this way damage another person's standing.
Whispering works by hints, suggestions, and secret talk born of suspicion that poison unsuspecting minds and create distrust. Malicious suggestions turn innocent words so that they come to look like attacks, separating people who should be friends.
The sower of strife is a deceitful, quarrelsome, tale-bearing person whose speech includes gossip, false witness, suspicion, censure, and backbiting. Sharp, harsh words spoken in a hard, rasping tone can also stir anger and passion, separate friends, and result in the loss of souls. In the church this tale-bearing damages fellowship, disturbs its peace, and sacrifices its unity, and the mischief is aided by those who listen eagerly and pass the report along.
The verse applies to repeating suspicions and unguarded remarks, turning small matters into serious accusations, and injuring those entrusted with responsibility. It applies to letting complaints against a fellow worker spread without fair dealing, which damages reputation and influence and awakens envy, jealousy, and evil suspicion. Those who cause this harm are accountable to God for it, and believers must not injure another person's reputation or position.
A harmful secret is not relieved by spreading it to listeners. It should be handled by speaking privately with the person concerned, then with one or two others if needed, and finally before the church if those steps fail. Matters belonging to the church must not be disclosed to unbelievers and enemies of the faith, lest the failings of believers be exposed.
Gossip must not be tolerated among followers, nor repeated in the family, and parents must not permit its repetition or remarks disparaging church members. Controlling the voice and refusing harsh, anger-stirring speech helps prevent the separation of friends and the loss of souls.