Reveal or Conceal?
September 2, 2010“Life can be full of tough choices.” These words caught my eye earlier this week as I was “going about” row after row of cards in a local Hallmark store. Inside the card, the tough choice was revealed, “Dessert or Appetizer?” along with a $5 gift card that could be used at one of four choice restaurants.
Life can be full of tough choices when it comes to choosing food.
Life can also be full of tough choices when it comes to choosing words.
“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.”
– Proverbs 11: 13 (NASB)
Reveal or Conceal?
The word “talebearer” is an English translation of a Hebrew word that means “to go about” and is probably derived from the word “merchant”. In the marketplace a merchant will sometimes “go about” on foot peddling his wares, enticing the customer with his words. Imagine a talebearer as a merchant “going about” on foot – peddling slander – saying whatever comes to mind with little thought about its truth or what effect it will have on others.
“I’m pretty sure it’s true, because she told me, and she usually has her stories straight.”
“I guess it must be true what they are saying about _____, because everybody is saying it”
Regardless of whether we have something on good authority or not, we are faced with the choice to conceal or reveal a matter. The end result could be the strengthening of a friendship bond, or the severing of the most closely allied friends. It very clear from the proverb that a talebearer cannot be trusted.
“Life can be full of tough choices”
Dessert or Appetizer? Serious business indeed. And a little bite here or there can be intoxicatingly delicious and harmless all the way down to our stomach.
Reveal or Conceal? Serious business indeed. But a little “going about on foot with the tongue” can be quite toxic and harmful to the innermost part of our belly and to others.
“The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
– Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26: 22 (NASB)
Looking for more words. Read Psalm 15: 1-4. Life can be full of tough choices. Choose wisely.