A Disciplined Mouth

(Pro 11:13 KJV) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Having a “faithful” (539) “spirit” (7307) (trustworthy NASB) means having a disciplined mouth.  I am not so sure that all gossip is malicious.  I think much damage is done by people simply sharing a good story without thinking.  The KJV does a good job of literal translation here.

Casual conversation is a danger.  Think of the way talk goes at gatherings of people who are not committed to each other.  When I was teaching the staff had an annual Christmas party.  In thirty years I can only think of one time I might have gone.  Such gathering have little interest to me.  I can make small talk but I don’t see the point.  I think it is such times that encourage the kind of talk mentioned here.  Of course much of it could just be that I am an introvert by nature.

So?  We are to be friendly but need to beware of the danger of loose talk.  The law of unintended consequences applies to casual comments too.