"If there is no wood, the fire goes out; if nobody gossips, contention stops." Mishlei (Proverbs 26:20)
Fire is known for its destuctive nature. An uncontrolled fire can destroy hundreds of acres of trees, houses, wildlife, etc. Every wildfire that has ever started has always started out as something small, but having an inmense source of flammable substances such as wood, goes on to grow into a massive, destructive force. In Scripture, gossip is compared to fire. Like fire, a gossip can start out as something small, but if people continue to spread it around, it also can transfrom into a massive, destructive force.
As children of God, we must seek the means to build one another; to grow in God as a spiritual family. But if we, through gossip, break down realtionships, reputations, hard work, among other things, then we are behaving as children of the enemy. For though the evil tongue the enemy broke the relationship between God and Adam and Eve, leading to the destructive result of SIN.
So let's not partake in the sin of gossip. Let's stop it once we see it arise in our community. Do not be the wood that allows the wildfire to spread and destroy. Quench the flames and stop the destruction before it is too late.
