Proverbs 26:20-28 Commentary
One way strife is played out is through gossip [or tale bearing] which can begin a vicious circle. Because people have strife, envy, or malice in their heart toward another person [and if they don't check it or cast it out quickly], they may play out those negative attitudes by speaking evil or spreading slander about that person, thereby causing contention and even more strife.
But this in no way resolves the situation, for it will only feed the strife in their hearts and will cause more strife between themselves and the one they are gossiping about.
Solomon tells us in these verses that if there is no one "whispering" [gossiping], the strife will likely dissipate because the fuel that keeps strife alive is no longer being added to the "fire". Or if one can deal with the strife by going to his neighbor privately to talk things out in a proper godly way, (Mathew 18:15) it is possible to squelch further strife by refusing to gossip and the fire will be put out.
The Bible has much to say about this destructive activity that involves the tongue and the things we say. Gossip is used as a weapon to hurt another person because of some form of hatred or envy for that person. It is usually a matter of pride that causes one to talk bad about another person and the desire to put him down in order for the slanderer to appear superior than the one he is talking about.
Solomon is teaching us that we should not gossip nor bear tales about others. In another proverb he says that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21) Our words and how we use them are more powerful than we realize!
*Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
A talebearer or a gossip fuels strife and if there would be no one gossiping about others or a certain situation, the fire goes out and the strife dissipates .
The Hebrew word for talebearer is nirgan (Strong's #5372) and means: talebearer, whisperer, slanderer. Another Hebrew word that is similar is ragan (Strongs #7279) to murmur (rebelliously) whisper, backbite, slander.
The English definition of gossip is:
1. A purveyor of malicious murmuring with little concern for the truth.
2. Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
3. A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.
4. A conversation involving malicious chatter or rumours about other people:
5. One who spreads gossip is also called: gossipmonger.
The Hebrew word for strife (variance) is madon (Strong's #4066) and means brawling, contention, discord, strife.
Putting these words together, this verse means that if all of these things that gossip consists of: whispering, slandering, murmuring, backbiting, are put away; the brawling, discord, contention will cease.
*Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Strife (contention) is compared to a fire; it can cause burning passions to flare which will spark others to become angry by contentious words of gossip and slander toward them. It can rage unabated until it burns down bridges between friends and separates people into warring camps.
A "contentious man" (or woman) is a quarrelsome man (or woman) who likes to stir up trouble, contentions and arguments over insignificant or irrelevant matters. Such people are not happy unless they are actively undermining personal relationships; attempting to ruin the friendships of others. Someone who is contentious likes to keep adding coals [gossip/slander] to the fire to keep the strife ongoing.
We know that a fire has to be constantly kindled to keep it burning otherwise it will go out. Solomon tells us how to put those fires out. We can avoid strife by putting an end to spreading malicious words and by not adding any more to the thread of gossip that is going around and thereby prevent the consequences of it. If everyone would do this, they would bring forth peace and squelch the strife. We do this in two ways; we must not give in to the temptation to gossip ourselves,
and we must not give ear to talebearers. Those who gossip feed the fire of strife and contention, and by listening to them we are enabling them to keep the fire burning and keep coals alive.
The people who spread gossip are like those who hand out fire brands. They keep the strife alive with their lies, by pointing out supposed character flaws in others, revealing secrets, misrepresenting words and actions, and imputing false motives.
By employing the practice of tale bearing, they attempt to turn those who listen to them against others, provoking hard feelings, suspicions, mistrust and discredit. They seek to alienate members; of families, the work place, neighborhoods, friendships, or church members one from another, and sow discord among them.
If no one listens to a talebearer, the strife and division he is causing would cease just as a surly as a fire will go out when it is no longer given wood to burn. If the person continues to try to cause division and strife, it may be necessary to banish the contentious man (or woman) from our company. We are not to tolerate whisperers and backbiters who want to instigate strife amongst us. Paul too was very firm regarding this kind of behavior including it in his list of the kinds of people who do these things that we are not to keep company with.
1st Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1st Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Rthe Greek word for railer means loídoros (Strong's #3060) -reproach (reviling); used of injuring another's reputation by denigrating, abusive insults, slanderer (HELPS Word-studies)
*Proverbs 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Solomon describes even more graphicly what talebearers do to their victims. Their words inflict wounds that are deep and penetrating right down to the pit of one's internal organs. They wound by spreading false information, or it may be true but it is information that is of a confidential nature that is really nobody else's business in knowing; or it could be something the person has repented of and has been long forgiven by God and others. Gossips hurt the reputation of those they slander and sometimes the wounds are so deep and severe that the damage they have inflicted is nearly impossible to ever be undone no matter how much it is retracted later.
Talebearers wound the love and close bond between family members and friendships and can separate them by making them to believe lies and evil surmising. How many of us have felt like we have been stabbed in the heart or like we have been punched in the stomach, when we hear what others have spoken against us or our loved ones; or have turned someone we love deeply, against us with their slander?
It is a grave sin to get involved in gossip and we must therefore not be tale-bearers ourselves at any time; nor should we give ear to or tolerate those who come to us with evil slanderous words about others. We must not associate or join in with strife-filled, contentious people, that try to draw us into their defamation of others, or those who pick quarrels upon the least provocation. These are people who want to argue, debate, and are quick to jump to conclusions and false accusations, who have hatred in their hearts toward others and want to destroy their reputations and their lives. These are contentious men or women who like to ignite and kindle strife. The less we have to do with such the better, for it is very difficult to avoid gossip when we hang out with those who gossip, and it is easy to get caught up with disputing with those that are quarrelsome. A little leaven, leavens the whole lump. In other places, Solomon has good advice along this line as well.
Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
*Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
"Burning lips" can mean lips pretending love with a show of kind words but are really covering over a heart that is full of hatred and strife. He gives the analogy of a potsherd [broken vessel] that is like a scarred or dysfunctional pot that is covered with silver dross. What is dross?
"Dross is a mass of solid impurities floating on a molten metal or dispersed in the metal, such as in wrought iron. It forms on the surface of low-melting-point metals such as tin, lead, zinc or aluminum or alloys by oxidation of the metal(s). The term dross derives from the Old English word dros, meaning the scum produced when smelting metals. By the 15th century it had come to refer to rubbish in general. Dregs, and the geological term druse are also thought to be etymologically related. Metallurgical dross is referenced as a metaphor for worthless material in the Bible and in other religious texts." (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
This person's words are of no real value even though it may appear like they are speaking words of friendship and respect toward one; but if it is hiding a wicked heart that is filled with strife, it is like a pleasant appearing veneer that is a covering over a heart full of evil thoughts toward the person they are speaking to or speaking against; just as dross does of silver. An attractive veneer can hide the very opposite nature beneath it; similar to what Jesus had to say of the Pharisees:
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
*Proverbs 26:24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Someone who hates others disguises it with his lips, he may speak pleasant words but he is really harboring hateful thoughts in his heart. He may make a profession of friendship to you but he is really using "friendship" as a means to further his malicious agenda. This will eventually fall back on such a devious person, for sooner or later, people see the motive behind the friendly words, and will then find it hard to believe anything that person has to say anymore.
*Proverbs 26:26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
It may seem for a while like he is getting away with his lies and slander against us or others, but eventually it will become apparent to all. It may seem unfair at first, and sometimes it seems that they are not only getting away with what they are doing, but are actually prospering by their deceitfulness and slander. But they will eventually reap the consequences, even if it seems at the time that they are being rewarded and not punished for their actions. But in Psalm 73, Asaph came to see that no one gets away with their wicked works forever and that God is the one who will deal with those who are sinning.
Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
The "wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation" could be speaking here of either public disgrace at being finally exposed for his hatred; or punishment as in the case of disfellowship by the church assembly.
*Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Whatever a wicked person is trying to do to innocent people, the same will come back on himself at some point in his life. Troublemakers often make trouble for themselves. The rule of retribution is probably intended to be in conjunction with the things this person is doing in verses 23-26. It seems that the emphasis is not so much on direct divine judgment, but on the providentially self-destructive nature of bad behavior intended to harm others; but it results in coming back upon himself instead, eventually. Which means we really do reap what we sow.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
*Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Hatred (of which gossip is one manifestation of), is the ultimate breakdown in human relationships. A person's speech has enormous potential for evil, and its misuse cannot be lightly looked over. Both the apostles John and James have stern warnings about how we are not to hate our brethren but show love for them instead.
1st John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
If we allow our selves to tolerate or become partners with such people, we in effect will join in with them and will reap the same punishment that is reserved for those who sin in this way.
The following proverb appears to be talking about lurking secretly to shed innocent blood and taking from those they harm; but this can apply equally to spiritually shedding blood, just as gossip and slander behind someone's back most assuredly wounds and steals from its victims, as pictured in this analogy of killing and robbing a person. That is why this subject is so very important, for God warns us that we will reap the consequences if we wound others with our tale-bearing and gossip. It can seem so innocent and matter-of-fact at the time of doing it; but it is actually spiritual murder and robbery: "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10)
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
This is very much a tactic of Satan, as he appears to be our friend as first and uses flattery, kind words, has an appearance of "love" but it is only a guise to do his evil works and to seduce us to sin against God and others.
Satan is an enemy that hates God's people, and yet when he temps us he usually speaks fair, as he did to Eve. In Genesis 3:1-5 he is described as being more subtle than any other creature when he came to Eve soon after God created the first couple and placed them in the garden. Satan lied to her about how God had not been honest with them and convinced her that he himself was to be believed instead of God. He slandered God with his words to Eve and she listened to him. She then believed him and did as he suggested her to do.
Judas betrayed Jesus, while at the same time pretending to be His friend even up until the last Passover. He later singled Him out to the soldiers with a kiss of friendship.
David too speaks of this tactic of fair speech covering strife and hatred in the heart of a so-called friend repeatedly in his psalms.
Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Solomon cautions us when he says in verse 25 "When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart." What are the seven abominations"? Elsewhere Solomon talks of the seven things that God hates and then says that they are abominations to Him. These very are the very things that seem to fit as to what fuels strife and contentions. This passage is a succinct description of what gossip and slander looks like and what it does. And God says that He hates these kind of things!
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
People who use such tactics, will profess to have much regard and respect for us and seem to be concerned about our health or well being, but it is really only a ploy that gives them a cover so as to not be suspected or guarded against, and they will use the trust in the friendship to take advantage of us; or as the verse says "a flattering mouth worketh ruin."
A sly person whose strife is covered by deceit will eventually be discovered and his wickedness will be exposed "to his shame" before the whole congregation; and when it is discovered it will make him seem detestable.
This passage in Scripture is trying to teach us to be on guard and to safeguard our calling. We have been taught that we will know true Christians by their fruits and by their whole-hearted devotion to following after Christ and keeping His commandments. But generating strife among people, including the brethren, is not the fruit of a converted Christian but is a very serious offense, as it can bring persons down to the pits and take away their crown and even their opportunity to be in the resurrection to spirit.
This requires discerning the fruits, for we are never to suspect others when they are kind to us or they give us sincere compliments. These are things that brethren are supposed to be doing, to encourage and to spur one another on to good works; and we are not to think evil of one another or to impute false motives (1st Corinthians 13:5).
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
But we are to become alert when people, even church members, use flattery with one hand, and on the other hand are tempting us to rebel against God and His commandments. This takes the WISDOM of God to decipher and then to take precaution to protect ourselves.
In Matthew 10, Jesus gives instructions to His disciples, commissioning them in their future work that laid ahead for them. The whole chapter is a good study about how we are to be about God's work, how to handle persecution and how to conduct ourselves in our Christian lives; specifically in verse 16 as Jesus exhorts them:
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Jesus is warning them to stay alert and be on guard! The work that He was commissioning them to do was going to be risky work and it would be the same as if they were in the midst of a pack of wolves, even as they preached the gospel to those they were being sent to. The instruction He gave them was to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves." So what does it mean to be "wise and
harmless"?
How are serpents wise? Serpents, or snakes, are wise because they are very shrewd and wary.
The Greek word for wise used in this verse is phronimos (Strong's #5429) which means: practically wise, sensible, prudent, i.e. mindful of one's interests. Sagacious [discerning] or discreet (implying a cautious character); while sophos denotes practical skill or acumen;
If we are wise like serpents, we will have a good solid understanding of people and situations. We will have an acute and well developed sense of discernment. We will be prudent in using sound judgment when we have to deal with people and the circumstances we may find our selves in.
This is very important; for God's people have had to deal with this, especially in our past affiliations; and it seems that the majority currently are just not dealing very well with perceiving when we are being mislead. It seems that most of God's people are entrapped in a stronghold about thinking we need to follow those who say that they are the leaders, but who are leading the brethren away from sound doctrine and misleading them from fully and zealously keeping God's commandments as He tells us to.
What does this have to do with gossip and tale-bearing? It has a lot to do with it, as we have, or we may still be believing those who are teaching us not to believe what we read in the Bible; but instead to believe and follow them and their time honored traditions that are contrary to God's Word. This is truly a type of gossip (or variance) and is actually slandering God and what He has to say in His Word by telling the brethren things that are not true, and turning men and women aside after tradition and the rudiments (basics, elements, principles) of the world.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Back to being wise as snakes. I found this very interesting because I was curious as to why Jesus would compare the wisdom the disciples were to have, to the wisdom of serpents (because usually serpents/snakes are thought of in a negative light) and how they would be considered an analogy for God's disciples having wisdom in dealing with people while doing the work of God. Generally a snake is considered a detestable creature as pictured in Genesis 3:1-5. I found this on "HowStuffWorks", Snake Basics.
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Hearing - Although snakes are not equipped with outer ears like people, sound waves from the air hit their skin and are transferred from muscle to bone. When the sound reaches the ear bone beneath the skull, it sends vibrations to the inner ear, and the sound is processed by the brain.
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Sight - Snakes do not see colors, but their eyes are equipped with a combination of light receptors: rods that provide low-light but fuzzy vision, and cones that produce clear images. The complexity of the eyes varies among species because of their different lifestyles. For instance, snakes that live primarily underground have smaller eyes that only process light and dark, but snakes that live above ground and hunt by sight have crystal-clear vision and good depth perception. Some species, specifically boas and pythons, have a second visual tool: Pit organs on their heads see heat sources in their surroundings like infrared goggles -- an effective ability for nocturnal hunters of warm-blooded animals.
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Smell - Like humans, snakes breathe airborne smells into nasal openings that lead to an olfactory chamber for processing; but snakes have a secondary system, as well. When a snake flicks its tongue, it is gathering odor particles for transfer to two fluid-filled sacs at the roof of the mouth -- Jacobson's organs -- that lead to a second, smaller olfactory chamber. The tongue is used only to assist in this process; snakes do not have a sense of taste. (HowStuffWorks)
Apparently most snakes have very keen hearing and eyesight and they also have additional ways of sensing that they use as well, which makes them wise. The word wise here can also mean to be shrewd, wary, prudent, sensible, discreet, discerning, practical.
To spiritually discern means to detect certain things with senses in addition to what we can detect by physical means. This is a gift given to us when we receive God's Holy Spirit and it is only given to those who obey God. Also, God gives understanding to those that keep His commandments.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever
It is such a wonderful and priceless gift to be able to understand spiritual things and God's plan and purpose for us. It is only the spiritual people of God, those who have answered His call and who zealously obey Him, who can understand and perceive the spiritual things of God!
1st Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
With the spiritual discernment that God provides to His children through His Spirit, we see things that we would not normally be able to see.
Snakes are experts at detecting danger and they quickly escape away from what they perceive as threats to their safety. Snakes use their "prudence" for self protection by avoidance and by escaping to safety by retreating into rocks or high grass when they are accosted. Most snakes only bite when they are cornered and in self-defense and generally do not like to aggressively confront people; but instead will retreat away from whatever they consider to be a dangerous situation.
To be wise as a serpent, means we are to be alert to spiritual danger and from those that pose as threats to our spiritual well being. We then are able to avoid things and influences that could put us in precarious situations; we are to retreat from them. (Like strife and contention, but also every other wicked work as well.)
Snakes are very alert to danger, as we as Christians need to be. This admonition to "be wise as serpents" given by Jesus to His disciple, indicates that we are be on guard always to the spiritual dangers that are in the world, and to be alert to spiritual danger even in the assemblies.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
We are instructed that we are to be prudent by utilizing God's gift of spiritual discernment, thereby perceiving evil and then fleeing from spiritual danger and/or tempting situations. (And we are to avoid even "the appearance of evil" which is one way of avoiding danger as well.)
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
We can resolve within our hearts like David did such as sins of the tongue and the strife it generates:
Psalm 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me"
But also in conjunction with being wise; Jesus tells us that we are to be harmless as doves. How are we to be harmless and at the same time wise to danger?
The Greek word for harmless in this verse is akeraios (Strong's #185) which means: unmixed, pure, unsophisticated, innocent, sincere, blameless; not a destructive mixture because it is not tainted by sinful motives (ambitions); pure (unmingled). (Strong's Concordance and HELPS Word-studies)
To be harmless as a dove means to have the kind of gentleness that is pure, untainted by the things of the world, to have pure motives, to be unmixed, to be innocent, sincere, etc. Doves are known for their gentleness and their temperaments are generally peaceful and calm. They habitually seek out to be close to people; with their habitat being in places like city centers, city parks, tourist areas, and suburban gardens and farmlands.
To be harmless then is to lack the capacity to harm others; to be mild, calm, inoffensive, and to have a gentle, quiet disposition. Doves usually do not bite people even when being provoked and are therefore considered harmless. So to be harmless as doves is to have the kind of love that never harms that Paul talks of: "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)
The instructions that Jesus gave to His disciples to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" can very much be applied to avoiding strife and talebearing that seeks to stir up contentions that cause division and wounding. If we are wise as serpents, we will be able to retreat from those that are spreading slander and harmful words about others. And if we are harmless as doves, we will never partake of wounding others with our words or actions as well.
Does that mean Christians that should never criticize or give an opinion or warn others of an issue they feel is wrong? Of course not, as we need to put all this together with the whole Word of God using wisdom; as there are many other places that instruct us to warn, to go to a sinning brother, to be a watchman, to help others to detect and avoid spiritual danger in addition to ourselves.
We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves so we do need to watch out for and protect others and warn them; just as we would want to be warned of danger so that we can be protected from spiritual harm. In Isaiah 58 we are commanded to show people their sins: the "house of Jacob" is symbolic of the spiritual house of Israel, the Ekklesia, God's people.
Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
In regard to the warnings given in Proverbs 26:20-28; it is directed to a specific kind of sin that has to do with "variance" a work of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 and we are to heed Solomon's (it is really Jesus through Solomon) warning on how we are not to fuel strife by being contentious and argumentative or by spreading gossip.
We need to heed Jesus' instruction to His disciples, and by extension to us, His modern day disciples; to be discerning, to detect and avoid danger, while at the same time giving no provocation or offense. He tells us to be wise and harmless in all things, and by doing so, we will not give fuel to the works of the flesh. God's warning is very serious in this, for He says that He will cut off all those who slander their brethren.
Psalm 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
In conclusion, we talked earlier how strife, and strife-motivated words and gossip, can wound us deeply. But what about God? There is none more maligned, slandered, lied about, persecuted than God, Himself. The whole world has believed Satan's slander that God does not mean what He says, that His laws are not valid, and that we are not to take God seriously by believing in Him and obeying the whole Word of God. Most of mankind under the influence of Satan hates God and hates His commandments and everything He stands for.
What about us? will we believe what God's tells us in His Word? And will we seek to know His truth and love His truth, searching the Scriptures daily to really know and understand what they teach? And then proving all things that we believe, to be sure that our beliefs and the doctrines that we hold measure up to His truth?
God opens the eyes of His called-out ones to reject the biggest "talebearer" who has ever lived; who has propagated his lies and delusions and has deceived the whole world with them. But we who are the people of God are to instead emulate Jesus Christ in being faithful witnesses to His whole Word and to teach humanity that whole Word which is the TRUTH.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
The beginning of strife began in the heart of Lucifer, who became Satan, and this evil was then manifested as a spirit of variance at the time he began to spread his lies about God; first to the third of the angels that followed after him; and then to the first two humans at the beginning of man's history on earth.
If we will answer God's call to turn from Satan's gossip about Him and His ways; and then believe the truly Good News that is all of God's Word, then we will be the trail blazers and pioneer people that worked to put out the fires of strife and variance that the most notorious and the originator of all strife started so many eons ago.
If we will listen to the voice of God and hear His words, do whatever He commands; we will become the spiritual sons and daughters of God that will be resurrected to spiritual life to be with Him forever. If we are filled with strife and contention, we will not be a part of God's Kingdom, for He will not allow strife to raise it's ugly head in His coming world of peace, love, and righteousness.
1st John 4:66 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we [we can discern] the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Who do we listen to and who do we believe? If we believe in God's Word and keep all of His commandments, we will be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves; and God will guide us and spiritually protect us through this life.
Constance
