"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 18:8
“The words of a talebearer.”
Our words are important. How we use our words can do a great deal of good or hold untold ruin. The “talebearer” is known by many titles. This person is a “whisperer,” “busy-body,” “slanderer,” or a “tattle-tale.” He/she always has a juicy story to tell about someone. In our culture today, the “talebearer” is extremely popular. Between the printed tabloid magazines,[1] and the online gossip sites, our society gobbles up tons of dangerous talk annually. The sad thing is that God has spoken and has given His command concerning this, and yet very few seem to listen to Him.
“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:16).
The talebearer’s chief occupation is giving away information of a private nature, that ought to be hidden.
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).
These “character assassins” speak an element of the truth with their evil tales, but their words are designed to hurt, and these slanderers do nothing to help.
“The words of a deceiver, the fair-spoken, deeply-malicious man, though they appear soft and gracious, are wounds deeply injurious”[2] (Clarke).
“Are as wounds.”
Those who know the Hebrew language tell us that rather than “wounds,” as is in some English versions, perhaps a better phrase is “dainty morsels,” “delicious morsels,” or “sweet morsels.”
“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body” (Proverbs 18:8, ESV).
These poisoned words the talebearer loves to tell, and the hearers love to gobble down.
“People love to hear gossip. It is like tasty food on its way to the stomach” (Proverbs 18:8, ERV[3]).
“And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
The swallowed words are not wholesome but dangerous, deadly words that destroy the character of the subject and poison the minds or hearts of the gullible who listen to them.
A practical suggestion for God’s child: when someone comes to you and wants to share gossip, here is a statement that can help you. “If I am not a part of the problem or a part of the solution to the problem, I don’t want to hear it!” Believers, let’s not be a party to gossip and slander!
Quote: “Whoever gossips to you, will gossip about you” [4] (Spanish Proverb).
[1] While the printed tabloid circulation may be dwindling today compared to the 1950s and 1960s, much of the gossip today has moved online.
[2] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] The Harvest Study Bible.
[4] Downloaded: Wednesday, September 2, 2020. From: https://quotes.yourdictionary.com/author/quote/554304.