CRITICISM CONTROL

June 18

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

A very sharp warning reiterated in Proverbs 26:22. Also, Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20.

The Hebrew word translated as ‘talebearer’ has imbedded in itself the idea of whispering, of whispering complaints and slander about someone to third party. As a result, some translations use the word ‘complainer’. This slandering of others usually makes both talebearer and hearer feel better about themselves so some translations also use the word flatterer. The truth is that all these translations are right. We are talking about a person who elevates him or herself in their own eyes by telling negative stories about a third party to others, thus elevating them in their own eyes also, while at the same time hypocritically portraying an image of true concern about the people they are slandering. Ugh!

It is very hard to resist hitting back those who displease us with negative publicity; and to think that this is the principle behind political campaigns.

A sergeant was asked for his opinion about a certain soldier considered for a promotion. The sergeant gave a glowing report to which another soldier replied, ‘Are you aware that the private you just honored with such a positive report constantly criticises your leadership to others?’ To which the sergeant answered, ‘I was not asked his opinion of me as a sergeant, but my opinion of him as a soldier’.