1/11/10

A little birdie told me...



A little birdie told me...?? Interesting words, often the prelude to trouble. What is so alluring about gossip anyway? Is it the power of knowledge or perhaps the click syndrome? Is it genuine concern for another, or the need to feel superior to your fellow human being. Good questions, all. I suppose books have been written on it, but lets just consider a couple of the proverbs.

Proverbs 18:6-8 WEB (R)
(6) A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
(7) A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
(8) The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts.

Proverbs 11:13 WEB (R)
(13) One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.


Gossip spreads like wildfire; how often have I heard that one! Its interesting to me that in the first passage, gossip is preceded by comments about a fool. As 11:13 points out gossip is the breaking of a confidence; a form of betrayal. Putting the two together, gossip is foolishness that reveals a lack of trustworthiness. But, why is it so delightful to the ear? I think it has something to do with the same reasons as those involved in the fall of man; the desire to have power through forbidden knowledge. Look where that little episode took humanity! The next time someone says to you: "Did you hear about...", ask them to invite the subject of the little morsel of information to talk about it! That's a good way to stop gossip in its tracks. A little birdie told me how to do it! But, I am not saying who!!!

Now number two!



Recently, I read how a new building in Dubai is now the tallest building in the whole world. I imagine it must have been hard for the Canadians to realize that the CN tower is no longer number one, but sometimes in life, things like this happen. How we handle such things is a true mark of character and of course I thought of John the Baptist.

John 3:22-30 WEB (R)
(22) After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized.
(23) John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.
(24) For John was not yet thrown into prison.
(25) There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification.
(26) They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him."
(27) John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.
(28) You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'
(29) He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
(30) He must increase, but I must decrease.

John was an awesome character indeed. Dressed like Elijah of old, with a very Spartan lifestyle, his fiery sermons must have caused many a conscience to to be pierced to the very heart! Yet, what I like best about him is found in verse 30 above. He knew he place in life and accepted it; not bad for someone who was obviously blessed with a God-given ministry. All this does not take away from him but rather adds to it, because great is still great. So is the CN tower!