by Audrey Bauman

Can you believe that November is beginning? Fall is over and winter is approaching. Even 
 Christmas might be starting to enter your mind. Those decorations are starting to appear in the stores. But right now, we'll continue with devotions that challenge our minds and hearts that are not related to seasons or holidays - just everyday moments.

Proverbs 18: 8, and 13  (NLT)

“Rumors are dainty morsels
     that sink deep into one’s heart.”

^13 “Spouting off before listening to the facts
     is both shameful and foolish.”

“Rumours are dainty morsels”.  When I see the words “dainty morsels” I think of a beautiful plate of hors d’oeuvres – attractive, tasty little bites.  Or I think of a plate of dessert bars, tarts, and other delectable confections.  Or a box of chocolates.  Yummmm! Almost makes me want to go looking in my kitchen for something.  So when Solomon says rumours are like dainty morsels, I think that really emphasizes the attraction we feel to that latest gossip or information running wild behind official walls. 

Solomon also tells us these rumours “sink deep into one’s heart”.  That is so true. Think of a time when you heard the latest info, and how much it affected you – especially if the rumours were about you or your family members.  Or if you heard something about a friend, or your co-worker, or someone you know from your church.  Even if you later hear that the rumours are not true, it’s hard to get rid of the uncertainty already cemented in your heart and mind.  Those dainty morsels sank deep into your heart.  

Then Solomon goes on to say that “spouting off before listening to the facts” is “shameful and foolish”.  Those two verses really make me think about all the gossip I’ve heard over the years, and all the things I shouldn’t have said.  We’re human and we do things we regret.  I’m so thankful that God forgives all that shame and foolishness we worry about.  But these verses also should make us stop and think about taking this advice more seriously. We really need to be aware of how much careless words and gossip can affect those hearing it. Or how much they affect our own thoughts and attitudes toward others.  

How do we do that in practical ways?  When someone starts telling us the latest “news”, we need to stop them and say ‘I don’t want to hear it’.  When we are tempted to tell someone else what we’ve heard, we need to keep quiet and see what the facts really are eventually.  

Interestingly, over the years, a person who gets the reputation for not really wanting to hear about it all, becomes a trusted person.  In fact, they may have more information than most people because people will confide in them. I know I have a couple of friends who I trust completely.  I’ve never heard them say a negative word about someone else, and the only confidential information I’ve heard from them is something they have been given permission to share. That’s the kind of person I want to be, and I challenge all of us to listen to Solomon’s advice about when to keep quiet.

Our song for today is I Speak Jesus by Charity Gayle.