KidzPort August 2 – Pssst!

August 3, 2009

“Donovan had fun.” 

That was the end result of a game of “telephone” that we started the class with on Sunday.  The original message: “Johnny and his mother are having dinner at the Savoy tonight.”

Admittedly, I derived the original message from one of my favorite scenes from the 1984 classic Johnny Dangerously.  In the ‘grapevine” scene, a message to Johnny gets distorted and twisted before getting to him.  Fortunately, Johnny translates the message properly.   But this isn’t always the case.

Whispering secrets and talking about other people – gossip – is a dangerous weapon.  Not only is it rude and mean, but there is a very real chance that the original message – the truth – will get distorted and twisted.  This can happen in a variety of ways.  Sometimes someone intentionally distorts the truth – or outright lies – for their own reasons. 

Other times, the message simply gets confused in all the “noise” of our surroundings.  We don’t understand it, don’t remember it all, or don’t hear it correctly.  But in our desire to “pass it on,” we just go with what we have, right or wrong.  They used to say in the U.S. Navy “Loose lips sink ships.” This meant that telling something that was supposed to be private could cause disaster.

Scripture speaks out about gossip, especially Proverbs.  Here are some:

Proverbs 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 20:19  He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And  hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans,  Feet that run rapidly to evil,  A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

For Parents:

• Read the scripture verses above with your child.  What do they mean to you?
• See if you can find other verses about loose talk.  Try 1 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:20 to start. 
• Talk with your child about any times they might have told a secret inappropriatly.  Be careful not to be judgemental – make it clear there will be no punishments for being honest during ministry time.  Pray together for God’s forgiveness and for God to strengthen them not to have “loose lips” in the future.