“An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue”

(Proverbs 17:4)

We love to listen to those juicy morsels of gossip.  After all, we’re not the one spreading it.  That would be wrong!  But listening?  There is really no problem with that, right?

Nope.  Solomon makes it clear that the listener is as guilty as the speaker.  The one who speaks with “wicked lips” is the person who openly defies God and His word.  He has no god but himself.  But what about the person who listens to him?  Solomon says “evildoer!”  But wait!  He didn’t do anything!  Yes, he did.  He listened!  That in itself is an evil deed.  The word “evil” means a person who is guilty of bad or immoral acts.  He has done that which is outside of God’s instructions.  Solomon notes that there are those who have “destructive tongues.”  These are people who love to tear down the good works others are doing.  They do considerable damage to those good works.  In some cases, they are successful in completely destroying them.  But what about the person who listens to him?  Solomon says “liar!”  But wait?  Aren’t liars those who say untruths? Not necessarily.  When he listens he is leaving a false impression.  The lie is found in the fact that he appears to be in agreement.

Here is an easy method for stomping out gossip: don’t listen.  If the wicked speaker has no audience, will he keep talking?  If he does, he’s only talking to himself.  What about the person who loves to destroy the work of others with his critical assessments?  If no one is listening, does he really succeed in tearing anything down?  No one even heard him.

The point of this powerful proverb is not just a method to eliminate wicked and critical talk.  It is also to give notice to all listeners.  They are guilty; as guilty as the speakers!  That is worthy of serious consideration.

Denny Petrillo