Day 230 – Love

Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. 23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

• God’s names:
• YAHWEH/JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal
• Christos – Anointed One, Messiah
• Pneuma – Violent Wind, Breath, Spirit
• Theos – Supreme Divinity
• Yeshuwa/Iesous – Jesus
• Soter – Savior
• Kurios – Supreme Authority, Lord
• Pater/Abba – Father

• God’s character:
• Love
• Peace

From my recollection, I don’t think children learn to tattle. It’s an instinct that surfaces as soon as the first sibling appears. The instinct to tattle carries with a person throughout their lives. What people need to learn is not to tattle. Nobody likes people who tattle, but it happens all the time.

Solomon was well aware of people who tattle. He had many brothers. Only one sister was mentioned, but there could have been more sisters as well. Then there were his many wives. I’m absolutely certain there were tattlers among the wives and concubines. Envy of position would make a tattler out of the calmest person.

A person who tattles causes strife. The safest thing to do is to stay away from talebearers.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.

Solomon’s recommendation was to quench strife before it began, by not taking part in gossip that leads to strife. He even told the people what YAHWEH hated.

Proverbs 6:16 These six things YAHWEH hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Nothing sows discord faster than a talebearer.

Christians are not exempt from causing trouble among the saints. You can find some of the worst talebearers in a prayer circle. Gossip disguised as prayer concerns.

Paul told the people of Galatia to guard their lives against those who caused trouble in the body of Christos.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You should love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Pneuma, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Pneuma, and the Pneuma against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Pneuma, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Theos. 22 But the fruit of the Pneuma is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

James further explained about the tongue and what it does to people.

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Theos and Pater, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of Theos. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus, no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

What kind of person were you when you said yes to Yeshuwa as Soter and Kurios? Were you given to gossip? Did you find a prayer group as kindling for your gossip disguised as prayer concerns?

Examine your life. Take a hard look at it and confess anything that can harm the body of Christos. Then put on the fruit of the Pneuma and walk in love with one another.

Let’s pray: Father, help me to examine my life and get rid of everything that causes trouble in the body of Christ. Help me to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 6 September 2026 by Valerie Routhieaux

May God richly bless you as you walk in the fruit of the Spirit and not according to the lusts of the flesh.