INTRODUCTION

A talebearer is one that bears a tale or "revealeth secrets" (Proverbs 11:13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
See All...; Proverbs 20:19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
See All...). Regretfully, this is a sin that plagues modern Christianity. The Lord warned the Israelites about this when He said, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Leviticus 19:16Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.
See All...). Though this was a command given to Israel, it is very much applicable to the church of God. Talebearers wound others (Proverbs 18:8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
See All...; Prov-erbs 26:22
See All...) and stir up strife (Proverbs 26:20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
See All...). They love to hear and distribute private matters, and in doing so they viciously harm their own testimony along with the testimony of Christ. Sometimes silence truly is golden.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Telling a tale implies something that is false. Always tell the truth (Ephesians 4:25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
  See All...). Even when you pass along true information about someone to a person who has no business with that information, you can lose friends (Proverbs 17:9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
  See All...).
• Have you ever had someone reveal one of your secrets to another person? Were you harmed in any way when the secret was made known? What would be different had the secret remained a secret?
• Have you ever done the work of a talebearer? Have you repented for doing so? Have you apologized to those you hurt?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you if you have hurt others with your words.
• Ask the Lord to help you forgive those who have hurt you.

HYMN

O To Be Like Thee

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