The danger of meaningless chatter.
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It is important that we speak words that build and give life, it is good for us and for those around us.
The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips;
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth;
And he shall be rewarded according to the work of his hands.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes;
But he that heedeth counsel is wise.
16 A fool maketh his wrath known immediately;
But he that regardeth not an insult is prudent.
17 He that speaketh truth declareth righteousness;
But a lying witness, deceit.
18 There are men whose words are like the blows of a sword;
But the tongue of the wise is health.
19 A truthful lip shall endure for ever;
But a lying tongue but for a moment.
20 There is deceit in the heart of those who plan evil,
But joy in the heart of those who plan good.
21 No evil will befall the righteous,
But the wicked will be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are his delight.
Proverbs 12:13-22
Right now we can meet with a group of people and ask them to make a definition of what the fact means and I agree that most will simply say that it is a way of spreading rumors about someone. This is correct but it is not a complete truth since this spreading of rumors is also often accompanied by conversations that cause unnecessary harm.
Let's give a clearer example: perhaps you have ever talked or criticized the appearance of a person close to you, perhaps you have also talked and commented on the quality of a person's work, we cannot leave aside the fact of having talked about someone's private life. All of these are examples that may have caused some kind of damage and may have also hurt even when it seems like simple innocent gossip. Perhaps we have even received some kind of reprimand when we participated in it but in fact ignored it.
There are times when we participate very actively in senseless comments that express rumors or ways that apparently do not have the appearance of gossip. But people share this in ways that seem to cause harm, such as when they joke and at the same time they are talking about the other person's personal details.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
O Jehovah, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14
Clearly not all jokes or pranks are part of it, but we must take this into account and have the ability and discernment to be able to understand when it is part of this or a wise conversation.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29