Good Morning 🙏

This is Proverb Pic, the daily devotional newsletter that helps Christians become wiser in 2 minutes a day.

Proverb of the day

Proverb Pic

Meditation

Proverbs 11:13 shows us that being a gossip or a trustworthy person depends on your ability to keep a secret or guard sensitive information. This verse is essentially about the importance of trust in relationships and the difference between someone who gossips and someone who is trustworthy.

The first part, "A gossip betrays a confidence," suggests that a person who gossips has a tendency to reveal private information that was entrusted to them, breaking the trust of the person who confided in them. The second half, "but a trustworthy person keeps a secret," contrasts the gossiping individual with someone who can be trusted. A trustworthy person respects the privacy of others and will keep secrets when they are meant to be kept.

A statement doesn't necessarily have to be false to qualify as gossip. Gossip often refers to the sharing of true but confidential information about an individual. Therefore, gossip can comprise of negative details that are true or false, intended to make the speaker and listener feel superior to the subject of the gossip. James 4:11 advises, "Do not speak ill of one another, brothers and sisters." Here, the term "speak ill" is simply the translation of the Greek word kata-lalein, meaning to "speak against." It doesn't always refer to a false narrative, but rather an "against-report"—a conversation that diminishes the listener's respect and affection for the person being discussed.

So, Proverbs 11:13 is teaching a lesson about the value of being a trustworthy person and the negative impact of gossip. It encourages people to respect the confidentiality of information shared with them and to refrain from gossiping, which is seen as a betrayal of trust.

Prayer

Lord, help us to honor everyone with our words. Let our words build people up and not tear people down. Let our words glorify you because the tongue has the power of life or death.

Application question

How do you tend to over share or gossip?

4 ways YOU can support Proverb Pic.

1. Follow us on social media

2. Support Our Newsletter

3. Advertise with us

4. Share with friends! 👇👇👇