Speak No Evil

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (Jas. 4:11,12). "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Tit. 3:1,2). “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (I Pet. 3:10). “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool” (Prov. 10:18). “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation” (Prov. 26:20-26). “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? … He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour” (Psm. 15:1,3). All of these scripture quotes are self explanatory, but the last part of the last line quoted should be noted as saying that receiving something spoken evil of another is the same as doing the speaking. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Enough said? I think so.