Leviticus 19:16 - “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.”
tale·bear·er: (n) - a person who maliciously gossips or reveals secrets.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. - Proverbs 11:13
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. - Proverbs 20:19
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. - Proverbs 26:20
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 26:22
CAUSE
☆ Too much idle time: “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” - 1 Timothy 5:13
☆ Getting drunk: “Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.” - Ecclesiasticus 31:30
☆ Being bitter, angry, full of wrath and clamor: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” - Ephesians 4:31
EFFECT
☆ Evil communication: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” - Ephesians 4:29
☆ Affliction: “The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.” - Ecclesiasticus 28:17
☆ Strife: “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” - Proverbs 16:28
☆ Distrust: “Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.” - Ecclesiasticus 8:17
