Discerning the Words You Take In
My dear son,
Keep a kind heart as you listen to stories about others. An interesting account catches the ear quickly, but it cannot tell you everything about a person's life. I want my child to know people with regard for their worth.
Gossip is easily swallowed like a tasty morsel and can settle deep within the heart. There may be circumstances you do not know, so pause before passing it on as fact. Treating someone's name carefully is an expression of love.
Tell me tonight about your thoughts toward others. Let what is unknown remain unknown while you examine the truth patiently. I want a gentle discernment to grow in both your ears and your lips.
With all my love,
Your Father
Proverbs 18:8
WEB8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
A short reflection
Proverbs compares a gossip's words to delicious morsels that descend deep inside, depicting how readily and deeply harmful stories are received.
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