DUPLICITY.

"Do not get a name for being a gossip or lay traps with your tongue; for as there is shame in store for the thief, so there is harsh censure for duplicity. Avoid the little faults as well as the great. Do not change from a friend into an enemy, for a bad name brings shame and disgrace, and this is the mark of duplicity."  (Ecclesiasticus 5:14 to 6:1 of the Apocrypha NEB).

HARSH CENSURE FOR CHANGING FRIENDS INTO ENEMIES.
A gossip is one who delights in idle talk, spreading malicious or scandalous tales based on trifling or groundless rumour about other people's affairs. Such injurious gossiping damages relationships, and gives one the "mark of duplicity". To be duplicitous is to be double-faced in conduct or intention, to be insincere and deceitful.

In order to avoid the "harsh censure" of God for duplicity, closer investigation into how duplicitous behaviour manifests itself is of the utmost importance. People whose lives are under the censure of God are worthless and without purpose, as are their prayers to God.

Although talk between persons about another may not be groundless, and may even be factually true, unless it has some measure of benefit (especially to the particular person), such talk will bring only shame and disgrace, either to those engaged in such gossip, or to the disparaged victim. Persons engaged in such an injurious activity are deserving of the harsh censure of God. According to the above scripture, gossiping and laying traps with the tongue are judged the same     laying traps for the souls of others.  (Isaiah 29:19-21 NEB).

Many speak disparagingly of others, even of friends, so that they may appear virtuous or knowing by revealing or repeating some slander concerning another. But they are merely seeking to console themselves by bringing others down to their spiritually impoverished level. They delude themselves into thinking they can escape shame and disgrace for their injurious activities and lack of love for friends and neighbours by inciting others to become as bad and as destructive as they are.

MAXIMS OF PRUDENCE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE.
"Tell no tales about friend or foe; unless silence makes you an accomplice, never betray a man's secret. Suppose he has heard you and learnt to distrust you, he will seize the first chance to show his hatred. Have you heard a rumour? Let it die with you. Never fear, it will not make you burst. A fool with a secret goes through agony like a woman in childbirth. As painful as an arrow through the thigh is a rumour in the heart of a fool."  (Ecclesiasticus 19:8-12 NEB).

"To delight in wickedness is to court condemnation, but evil loses its hold on the man who hates gossip."  (Ecclesiasticus 19:5 NEB).

If we cannot help others, we certainly should not hinder them. Of course, the best help one can give is to administer spiritual knowledge from the Word of God, as it is written: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness; that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."  (2 Tim 3:16,17).

 CENSURE:  An unfavourable judgement;  blame;  reproof;  condemnation.

16/6/89.
 

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