Gossiping Covers Hate

Without wood, a fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. A gossips words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.

Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. A hateful person disguises himself with speech and harbours deceit within.

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:20-26

When I find myself talking about instances in which others have hurt or forsaken me I have a problem.

If my God casts my sins into the sea of forgetfulness, why do I hold on to the memories.

I could say, but 'they' are unrepentant. So am I if I still hold a grudge. There is one who hates me and hates mankind, Satan. He holds grudges, firstly against the Father, then the Son who he envied and the Holy Spirit because He is pure.

When I harbour grudges I in fact refuse to forgive, completely. If I walk in this attitude I walk in an evil spirit and allow it to control my life. I cannot live my life for Satan, so that his personality lives through me. I am blood bought, I am a Christian and by the power of the shed blood I can walk in newness of life.

Holding grudges is holding hate. It is saying to others, 'I prefer me to you. I am more precious.'

What are the seven abominations I then hold in my heart? From the study I have done, seven is the number of completeness. In other words, completely evil. Deceitful speech covers this, or attempts to do so. A wise person discerns the intent of the heart of the speaker and distrusts smooth words more than outright critical words.

Finally, Jesus said, " let your yes be yes and your no be no," in others words, plain speaking. Have the fortitude to confront and deal with the person causing the problem instead of gossiping about them.

Lord have mercy! Amen!