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. (Proverbs 26:22-23)
Words are carriers. By your words, you can carry heavenly things, such as faith, love, joy, and peace. Your words can also carry things that come from hell like death in relationships, debt in finances, and destruction of relationships.
As Christians, we have a profound responsibility to pay attention to the words we say because they affect everyone who hears them. Personally, I have experienced both the blessing and the harm that words can bring. People have hurt me deeply, but others they have helped me tremendously through the words they have said.
In fact, Proverbs says that someone with burning lips (meaning they are always talking and can’t keep anything inside of them) coupled together with a wicked heart (they want wrong to happen to others) is just like a potsherd covered with silver dross. A potsherd is a broken piece of pottery and dross is the worthless material that is removed when refining silver.
That Scripture means that both the piece and what covers the piece is worthless. It is an illustration of someone whose heart is evil and whose words are plentiful but poisonous.
Avoid talebearers and seek to surround yourself with people who speak encouraging and positive words that agree with God’s Word.
Practical Application
Who is around you today that you can encourage? Into whom can you sow words of faith? Always remember the importance of speaking words that build up rather than tear down, that heal rather than harm.