Satan will gain an advantage over us if we are ignorant of his devices. Ignorance is not being aware of the destructive power of untrue or distorted words. “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell.” ~James 3:6 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” ~Proverbs 18:21
By gaining knowledge of how a destructive tongue operates, ignorance is dealt with. So let’s become familiar with the areas of ignorance that a destructive tongue functions in.
> Ignorance of how words destroy close friendships.
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separeteth very friends.” ~Proverbs 17:9
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit." ~ Proverbs 15:4
> Ignorance of how the unclean defile the clean, rather than the clean influencing the unclean.
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean." ~Haggai 2:11-14
> Ignorance of what constitutes an evil report.
In short, it is an unauthorized, distorted, or false report which influences us to form an evil opinion about another person.
> Ignorance of how evil reports are given.
Evil reports are communicated by words, facial expressions, gestures, and tonal patterns. They can be subtle or obvious, quiet or angry, sweet or bitter.
> Ignorance of who gives evil reports.
Giving bad reports is part of the fallen nature of every person.
1. Busybody:
One who digs up evil reports and makes it his business to spread them by means of gossip, slander, or whispering. Such action can be called as great a sin as murder or stealing. For it is classified with these by God when He warns: “Let none of you suffer as murderer, or as a thief, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” ~I Peter 4:15
2. Whisperer:
One who secretly or privately passes on evil reports to others. “All who hate me whisper together against me; against me do they devise my hurt.” ~Psalm 41:7
3. Gossiper:
One who magnifies and sensationalizes rumors and partial information.
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