The Backbiting Tongue or Slandering Tongue

12 August2011   

 Backbiting means: To speak spitefully (ill feeling) or slanderously (insulting) about.

           A backbiter is someone who uses their tongue against you, when you are not present, yet they will not face you, with their charges, when you are present.  Backbiting is to speak ill of a person behind his back, concerning of matters relating to the character, physical appearance and personality. It is not only restricted to the usage of words, but also it includes the mean behavior and actions.

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” Leviticus 19:16

       Backbiting is an awful mannerism which causes disgrace and embarrassment to other people and it is a serious and grave social offense. It leads to conflict between people.

“A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.”Eccelesastie 28:14

       Backbiting nature is a destructive and disgusting weapon of the weak people, and commonly used by people with enmity, jealous nature and unreasonableness etc ,etc,  to hide their own imperfections by speaking ill of others.

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy “ Romans 1:30

       God wants us to be thoughtful and kind and to be careful in all our thoughts ,deeds ,words and  action concerning  everyone. This what God expects  from us.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2

      Those who indulge in backbiting are generally likely to misplace their self-respect and degrade   themselves  by resorting to a evil tactics.

       A backbiter will talk about the person than talk to the person, usually either in a critical tone or with the words of encouragement, speaking  in a deceitful way,.

       But for sure, no one has ever been strengthened or enlightened through backbiting.

 Read the verses and try to understand about backbiting and its consequences:

“Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly( cunning) tongue—which provokes a horrified look”. Proverbs 25:23

“Beware of the backbiters, especially the ones who sow discord among brethren” (Proverbs.6:19).

“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18.)

”Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.( Psalm101:5.)

“In you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd (rude) acts. (Ezekiel 22:9)

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends”. (Proverbs 16:28)

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. (Proverbs 11:13)

 

This is way of a backbiter who would stir -up the problem and magnify it, than trying to solve and to resolve it.

God warns us clearly:

^”For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will condemned.”(Mathew 12:37) 

“….Your lips have spoken lies,Your tongue has muttered perversity.”( Isaiah 59:3)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.Ephesians:15-18

 “Let not a slanderer be established in the earth ;Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.” Psalm 140:1

 Let us be careful to find out such personalities. 

 Do not associate with backbiters and toxic people. 

Always listen to your intuition and follow your heart.

Hill view @ Kodaikanal-Tamilnadu

 Stick on to your values based solidly on Gods Promises. 

Do not compromise with them. 

Let God be your master 

to put you in the right path.

The Proud Tongue

11-August 2011 The Proud Tongue  

Proud means : feeling pleased about something that you have done or something that you own, or about someone or something you are involved with or related to.

         It habitual for people to boast about  and take pride about their family, about their own self,  their education , position and posts,  what they possess in the form of wealth and  of course about their future plans.

Nothing is harmful if it does not have any impact on others. But if the tongue boasts in an arrogant way, coupled with malice, than for sure  it needs a check.

“…no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.” Psalm 12:1

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:13

         Proud   and conceited talks will destroy your personal profile and will reveal who you are. Vain words and pompous talks expose your evil heart.  

        In the Bible we read about the fall of Lucifer, it reveals the proud thought he had and he gives the same  thought to the proud and arrogant people.

Beware! You will be brought down to the  lowest depths of the Pit. It is the end.

 “I (Lucifer) will ascend into heaven, 
      I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; 
      I will also sit on the mount of the congregation 
      On the farthest sides of the north; 
      I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, 
      I will be like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13-14

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of”. Luke 6:45

“You boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:16

           A proud look, a proud talk etc are hateful in the sight of God, God hates a proud tongue.

Bible tells that,

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13

        A proud person embedded with pride, arrogance, egotism and with a conceit heart filled with arrogant plans and liable to adopt a dual role with a false face. It produces sin.

“Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.” Psalms 73:6

 “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.” Psalms 59:12

“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them “Proverbs 14:3.

“Haughty eyes and a proud heart --the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”(Proverbs21:4)

“The proud [NIV: arrogant] have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” Psalms 119:69

        As a Christian we must be very cautious in the way we keep ourselves as a living witness by guarding our tongue from pompous talks.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world…….For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:16

“Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Psalms 31:18

        Remember the hurting proud utterance will not touch you if you have a ‘fire-wall protection’ from your Heavenly Father.

“…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.  Isaiah 54:17 

       You are His apple of the eye, and God will hide you under the shadow of thy wings, and from the wicked that oppress you.

"The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh  proud things"… “(Psalm 12:3). 

“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; 
 Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

     Try to adorn humility and kindness because pride will only quench God's Spirit and damage your testimony.

Plains view from Ghat road @ Kodaikanal-TamilNadu

Cut off your pride!

   Turn away from it!

     May God Bless you!

Gossipping tongue

10-August 2011 Gossipping tongue

 

 Gossip means A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts.Rumor or report of an intimate nature. (Webster’s Dictionary)

             Basically, gossip is a destructive need for personal satisfaction, making a person feels good about himself by destroying the character and reputation of another. When we gossip, or even participate in gossip, we are actively and voluntarily engaging in a destructive purpose, characterizing , which is equal to murder and theft.  Gossiping and lying  often go hand in hand.

            You know “misery loves company.”  Some people cannot stand the thought of someone else succeeding, whether spiritually, physically, or  financially  or materialistically ; hence  they hunt for reasons to accuse and harm the reputation of the person. The Bible clearly warns us:  

“Do not spread false reports.” Exodus   23:1,

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” Leviticus   19:16;

   “he who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander,… Psalms 15:2-3

                When we start   attacking and spreading gossip over petite things or matters with on base,we must definitely have a check, on our heart, on our thoughts, and on our inner motives. We spread gossip about ourselves and about someone else which is harmful and is destructive. It is for self -satisfaction with a jealous spirit, or with some sort of insecurity, people indulge in gossip. God has no part in it.

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.” 1Timothy  5:13.

• People love to gossip and spread rumors!
• Avoid inquisitive and intrusive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted to them.
• We are spreading gossip starting right from our home, and extended to outside the world.
• Where is our credibility?
• Where is our character?  
• Can our life stand the scrutiny of an outsider?
• Have you ever thought what is social face holds?

         We should be careful in our speech and in actions.

         We must try to live above criticisms and away from these persistent talkers.

 Read. What the Scripture says:

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13;

 “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4;

 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28;

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19;

 “Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue”. Proverbs 26:23

       When we kneel before the throne of judgment, We will be judged by our deeds as well as the way we handle the gifts God has given us for constructive activities.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken”. Mathew 12:36

             "….make it your ambition to lead a quiet life:

    You should mind your own  business”1.Thessalonians 4:11-12.

 Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain,and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?

Hilly view- uphill to Kodaikanal-TamilNadu

Fire and swords are slow engines of   destruction,

 compared to the tongue of a Gossip.