As we look at the rest of Proverbs 20, let’s start with verse 19. Here we go, honesty and truth come flooding in with this initial verse.
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so, avoid a man who talks too much.” Proverbs 20: 19
As I read through the rest of the chapter, there is a lot of scolding taking place. I am high in the gifts of compassion and mercy, so reading and writing on this was not really comfortable for me. But as I stated in the opening sentence, truth and honesty are pouring out. So, I am speaking the truth in love, as I release what I see and read.
Thanks for hearing my heart. Let’s continue and hear what the Lord is saying.
How do we get gossip out of our life? It’s everywhere in our relationships, even in Christian circles and in the form of prayer requests.
Let’s just admit it! We all have engaged in it, without thinking before we speak. However, there is a deeper form of gossip that has malicious intent within it.
If someone tells you something in confidence, privately, then we are not to repeat what was said to anyone, unless we get permission from that person. I often ask if telling my husband about it, is, ok?
We are told to avoid someone who talks too much! So, what defines too much? Some folks are gifted in that area and God uses those gifts to speak and teach.
The “talking too much gossiper” is defined as one who has an unconstrained conversation about others and/or reports with details that are not confirmed to be true. In other words, they could be liars.
So enough about that! We all know them, just be kind, yet don’t let them into your private circles and watch what you say around them. They thrive on using information against you or against someone else. Can you see the malicious, wicked intent behind folks now? Their faces are coming before you as you read this.
Moving along through the chapter, the next verse talks about the consequences of NOT honoring your father and mother. “If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.” Proverbs 20: 20 Apparently this crime was punishable by death.
As we struggle with the humanity that’s inside of each of us, we are told “Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong! Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.” Proverbs 20: 22
With this, I want to exhort you to deny the urge to want to pay someone back for wronging you.
Let the Lord deal with them. He sees, He knows, and He hears all.
Here’s why: “A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.” Proverbs 20: 26
Here’s the explanation I found on this verse: The threshing cart was used to separate the grain from the husk.
In the Old Testament Isaiah speaks about this threshing wheel and states, “Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. Grain must be ground to make bread; so, one does not go threshing it forever. Though he drives the wheels of the threshing cart over it, his horses do not grind it.” Isaiah 28: 28
Then he finishes and adds: “All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.” Isaiah 28: 29
Since threshing is emphasized, the point may be that God does punish his people, however, His actions will be as measured and as well-timed as a farmer’s.
A farmer’s work is used often by Jesus in the New Testament in many of his parables. Here’s what all of this “threshing” talk, means:
Threshing separates the wicked from the righteous.
“The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” Proverbs 20: 27
We understand that punishment is sometimes needed to restrain evil.
So, as we close, remember that “Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.” Proverbs 20: 30
So sorry for all of these blows, pun unintended. Our very lives were created and purposed for Him, and to bring glory to His name.
Our innermost being is to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
My favorite verse expounding on this is found in the book of Acts.
The New Testament tells us, “…For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17: 28
Brothers and sisters, we are IN Christ, let Holy Spirit live and move through you as He transforms our innermost being into the image of Jesus, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on My Beloved’s Voice
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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