Fofoca
A fofoca destrói reputações e relacionamentos. A Bíblia condena severamente o murmúrio, a calúnia e a palavra maldosa, chamando o cristão a edificar com a boca.
O poder destrutivo
O homem perverso semeia contendas, e o que anda com fofocas separa amigos íntimos. A fofoca é veneno social.
Troublemakers start fights;
gossips break up friendships.
The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction;
the common sense of the godly preserves them.
A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret,
but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence.
Liars secretly hoard hatred;
fools openly spread slander.
Edificar com palavras
Não saia da boca nenhuma palavra torpe, mas só a que serve para edificação. Quem fala mal do irmão fala mal da lei.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
"Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
"Don’t hurt your friend,
don’t blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.
"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.