Love Never Gossips

(Prov 20:19 NIV) A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

This morning we continue our series in the book of Proverbs. While what Solomon tells us this morning seems like common sense, you would be amazed to see how many people are willing to confide in gossips. We have all met people who 'can't hold their water.' In other words, these people chomp at the proverbial bit to share whatever information has been shared with them, especially if it was shared under the condition of confidence. In Spanish they call these type people "Radio Bembe." The word "Bembe" is a slang reference to a person's lips. The "Radio" reference is to give the idea that whatever you tell this person will be transmitted over his or her own personal broadcast system. The English equivalent would be the nickname "WLIP;" referring to the person radio call sign format. So if you tell this person anything of significance it will be broadcasted over WLIP.

I could go on for the rest of the lesson describing people who do this, but I believe you get the point already. So I would rather spend the rest of the lesson telling you what God expects you to do with confidential information. In the New Testament, when describing the love of God, Paul said, "Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]" (1st Cor 13:7 AMP).

The Greek word translated "bears up" in this text means to protect, preserve, cover, keep secret, hide, conceal. When you operate in God's love you are disposed to do good (and not harm) unto others.

Back in chapter 10 Solomon said "Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do" (v.12). Love never seeks to stir up trouble, if anything love is willing to overlook the trouble stirred up by others, in order to maintain peace and harmony. So love would never willingly expose information that was shared in confidence, hurting the other person and making the other person vulnerable. No, love seeks to cover and conceal the flaws of another, in order to protect them - always seeking to help and never to hurt. Peter said, "Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]" (1st Peter 4:8 AMP).

Think about that for a moment. The love of God in you can literally help cover the flaws of another. This is the way we should live.

Furthermore, to "bear up" means to literally be able and willing to carry the burdens of another. People should be able to come to us and share their heart (and faults) with us, without the concern that we will broadcast their faults to the world. Love does not transmit or give undue publicity to the flaws, faults, and failures of others. People should know that we have the ability to cover and to carry their issues without ever having to reveal them.

So what does this mean to you? A few things:
1. Don't be the gossip Solomon warns us to stay away from.
2. Offer a loving ear to others. We all make mistakes and we all need someone to confide in and share our heart and issues with. Be that person for someone else.
3. You must develop a sense of care and concern for people, to the point where you will not share openly what they have shared with you privately.
4. God's love IN YOU enables you to cover, conceal, and carry the mistakes and burdens of others.
5. If someone trust you as a l ”lighting bolt” you should be honored and hold their cares and concern in confidence.

Father, I am disposed to do good, and not evil, unto others. I am also disposed to hide and conceal the faults and imperfections of others. What I receive in private will remain private. I refuse to transmit or make public the wounds of my brothers and sisters. I seek to minister to them and help them, not to hurt them by smearing their name with my lips. As I bear up my brothers and sisters I find myself strengthened by Your Spirit to be a continual blessing in the earth! They can count on me and so can You! Use me Father to be a blessing to every person I come in contact with today. Use me as a conduit of Your love and light in a dark and selfish world. In Jesus' name. Amen