June-July 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel

VERBAL DYNAMITE

by Mandie Nickels

"Did you hear about Anna's nose? It's not real. She got it done last summer at a clinic in Barstow."

Have you ever heard someone that sounded like that? Someone who went on, and on, about people's personal lives and secrets?

The Bible has names for these people: Gossips, Destructors, and Traitors.

What could be so wrong with talking, as long as you don't lie? You could hurt and damage people's lives, break someone's heart, or separate close friends.

Words are like dynamite; they can destroy people. Even when speaking the truth, words can still hurt.

As your parents always told you, "Think before you speak." Though it's almost impossible at times, that saying holds a lot of truth. If you held your tongue before speaking a secret of a friend, you could save your friendship and please God by doing so. Psalm 34:13 says. "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Gossip is a horrible habit to start and a hard one to stop. It's nobody's business what happened to Chris last weekend. You can do some serious damage when gossiping. Especially when you're unsure of facts and the fiction. Think before you speak. Yet, words can even save a friend from doing wrong. Proverbs 17:10: "A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool." (NIV)

It's simple. Don't be a fool. Don't be a gossip. You can save a relationship with a friend, or more important, your relationship with God.

Mandie Nickels is a 14 year old Sabbath keeper in Wyoming. You may contact her at: <mnickels@angelfire.com>

TSS

June - July 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel