Loose Lips Sink Credibility

I read a report that said that during World War II, the United States government was concerned that several German spies were operating in America and sending information to Germany regarding allied war plans and specific troop and ship activities. To keep them from impeding the war effort, the Office of War Information launched a national campaign around the slogan "Loose Lips Sink Ships." It was a solemn warning to people not to repeat information that might be damaging or deadly if it fell into the wrong hands.

Likewise, you need to be vigilant when it comes to your communication with others because your careless lips can hurt people and sink your credibility quickly!

Proverbs 11:13 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret."

"Betraying someone's confidence" not only compromises your credibility but also calls your overall communication and commitment into question. See, the opposite of a gossiping person is someone deemed trustworthy. You can't be both honorable and hurtful simultaneously. Nor can you be someone who says "God willing" yet doesn't follow God's will in your communication.

To understand gossip properly, consider the following:
(1) The Old Testament Hebrew translation of the word "gossip" means "one who reveals secrets" or "one who goes about being a talebearer."
(2) Examples of gossip include besmirching remarks, lying, slander, insinuations, or passing on personal details about someone without their permission or them being present.
(3) You can participate in gossip by spreading it or failing to stop it.

Knowing this, let us make Psalm 34:13 our goal: "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

By God's grace, you can use your words to lift people instead of tearing them down.