Continuing our Proverbs Series, this week Tyler talks about gossip and how it affects our lives.

Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Complain or Pray

Discouragement or Encouragement

Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Gossip or Community building

Gossip: Passing on information about one person to another person that you would not say in front of them or saying it in a different way than if they were there with you.

Slander or Intercession

Proverbs 4:20-24 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips

Matthew 12:34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Questions for Reflection 1. Why are words so powerful? Do you use words to give others life or to "run them through?" Your week is finally silent, there is nothing for you to do, so be honest-- talk to God about your words. 2. Do you complain or pray? Do you encourage people or tear them down? With your words, do you gossip or build community? Do you slander a person's gaps or stand in the gap to intercede? 3. Your words come from your heart; therefore, we have a heart issue. The only way to overcome this is to have the voice of God, who lives in us, overpower the voices of the world. Use this quiet time and allow the Father to talk. He whispers son-ship and daughterhood into your life.