More Mouth...

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

    but only in expressing his opinion.

3 

When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

    and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;

    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 

It is not good to be partial to the wicked

    or to deprive the righteous of justice.

6 

A fool's lips walk into a fight,

    and his mouth invites a beating.

7 

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

    and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

    they go down into the inner parts of the body... 

If one gives an answer before he hears,

    it is his folly and shame.

The one who states his case first seems right,

    until the other comes and examines him.

18 

The lot puts an end to quarrels

    and decides between powerful contenders.

19 

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

    and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20 

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;

    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

    and those who love it will eat its fruits.

(Proverbs 18:2-8, 13, 17-21)

The writer has already made several statements about the use of the tongue, and how much evil or  good it can cause. Here he keeps coming back to it, with truths that serve as background material to the popular passage in James 3.  Foolishness affects our speech, which can earn us a punch in the mouth, or worse. The greatest damage they do is to the one who has said them. But this does not make it a victim-less crime. The "words of the whisperer" are one of  the great tools of Satan, going all the way back to the Garden when he planted lies and doubt into the ears of Eve.  When we foolishly involve ourselves in gossip we bring great harm to those around us, who are defenseless against what is being said about them.  If you are like me, you know the sting of having others believe the worst about you, even though they do not know the full story, and may never give you the opportunity to tell it. But it is those who practice it who have shut themselves behind bars in their lies, and who will someday pay the penalty.  May we beware the tendency we all have to share or believe gossip.