Whispers

I have noticed that young children speak loudly when they are learning to talk. It is like they only have one volume level. They haven’t yet learned the subtleties and nuances of varying volumes. A native of New York once told me that he only had two volumes, loud and off. As we age we begin to enjoy soft speech and whispers. The whispers are intended to reveal secrets, but to a limited audience.

Nowadays, social media has almost eliminated the ability to keep secrets as information is spread quickly and without sensibility. Availability to more information and quickly is generally a good thing. But too often social media becomes a means of spreading false information and quick judgments. These are harmful in so many ways. Proverbs 16:28 says, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” As disinformation is spread, disagreements and broken relationships also increase.

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Let’s ask God to put a guard over our mouths so that we speak wisdom, truth and love. Let our words encourage and build up others, instead of destroying lives.