The Words of a Talebearer - Proverbs 18:8

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “a fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eight of Proverbs Solomon said, “the words of a talebearer are as wounds” where we read,

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The verse begins, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, ...” Solomon began with the words, “the words” or “the speech, utterance, matter and manner” “of a talebearer” which means “belonging to a murmurer, backbiter, slanderer and whisperer” “are as wounds” or “exist similar and in likeness to burning and rankling hurts, lesions and injuries”. Solomon said the utterances of backbiters and murmurers exist like burning hurts and lesions.

The verse goes on to say, “... and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Solomon continued with the words, “and they go down” or “and the words of a talebearer descend” “into the innermost parts” which means “into the chamber, parlor and inward portion” “of the belly” or “belonging to the womb, body, abdomen or seat of mental facilities”. Solomon said the “words of a talebearer” descend into the core of the person to whom they are spoken.

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we discover how words affect those to whom they are spoken, and words spoken by a slanderer and whisperer descend into the soul, mind and will of the person to whom they are spoken. God wants us to use the voices He gave us to “bless” people and not to “burn” them. He will help us by His Holy Spirit to do this when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. As we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and cleanse our speaking so we may bless the souls of people with our “words”.

Next time Solomon shares about the person who is, “slothful in his work”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".