Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
New International Version (NIV)
Fire without fuel will flame out. My first experience with a grill was a tiny hibachi I bought after Melanie and I married. We bought the charcoal briquettes covered them with starter fluid and set them on fire. But when the briquettes burned out, there was no more fire. Once a fire consumes its wood it will burn out if we let it.
So, too, a quarrel! Most arguments will go away if someone doesn’t keep them going. In the old television series called Hee Haw, one singer said, “You will never hear us repeating gossip so you better be sure and listen close the first time.” Gossip will keep a quarrel going longer than it ever should. Life is full of conflicts and challenges. But the worst arguments continue on after the problem Is gone if a gossip keeps them alive. To be clear, part of our work as believers is to put out fires between others. Recovery groups talk about HALT. When we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired we are vulnerable to harming ourselves or others.
Are you in conflict with anyone today? Consider the source of the anger inside. Does our anger come from God? Will repeating it to another help solve the original problem or aggravate it? Remember the song, “Quiet please. Too much has already been said. Let it be and learn to listen instead. Sometimes through the silence big problems become small. If we can’t find something good to say, let’s say nothing at all.”
Pray with me:
Father, deliver us from the sin of gossip. Continue to calm our hearts and minds today so that we live life in your presence in fullness of peace and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.
Joyfully,
Duane
Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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