"Talk"

So it seems like they know you,

And well-versed ‘bout your sin,

Because they like to talk it,

Tell others where you’ve been.

They say it like they mean it,

Sincere as they can be,

Might even as a prayer request,

Thinking folks won’t see,

That what they’re really doing,

Is spreading their own view,

Of what they think has happened,

While only part is true.

And they would not consider,

Coming to the source,

Hear from those they talk about,

From the mouth of that old horse.

No, easier to spread it,

And notch their gossip gun,

Than learn to speak the truth in love,

And from all evil run.

They discredit people,

Like it’s going out of style,

Think nothing of the damage,

But after just awhile,

They find they reap the harvest,

Of the bad seeds they have sown,

Get desperate for compassion,

When it all comes round and home.

But the Good Book says it clearly,

The mercy will not be,

For them if they don’t give it,

Time to wake up and see,

Jesus Himself said it,

If we the mercy give,

It would be given back to us,

Much better way to live.

So if you can’t say something good,

You might consider this,

To praise and pray, not gossip,

Is high on God’s own list.

In fact this is the answer,

Our mouths so filled with praise,

That we leave room for nothing less,

Our hearts in thanks we raise.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises…” (Psalm 34:1, NLT)

It only stands to reason that if we “constantly” praise the Lord we will have less trouble with negative speech about others or anything else. The need some people have to spread bad news is an old problem, and one that scripture addresses consistently. Giving the mercy God has given us is imperative to stay in its flow, and learning to live thankfully in word and deed characterizes the Spirit-filled life. During this Thanksgiving season is a good time to take inventory. Counting up our blessings and boasting in what the Lord has done will free us from the need we feel to talk about others in an unkind way. It’s something to think about.

Lord, help us fill our mouths with Your praise, in Jesus’. name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.