8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.ReflectionsWritten by Stephen SheadToday’s proverbs have such striking images! Three especially stood out to me.First, gossip as a choice morsel of food (verse 8). Why does gossip do so much damage? Why do we love listening to it, and why is it so easy and fun to spread gossip to others? Because people find it so delicious and tasty. That is, in our sinful nature, we actually want to believe evil, scandalous or shocking things about other people.Why is that? If you know you struggle with gossip, ask the Lord to help you see what attracts you to it. Is it because you like the reaction it gets when you repeat the story to a friend? Is it because you like to think your life isn’t as bad as that person’s? Is it because you find certain sins fascinating, even if you can only “look, not touch”?Ask God to purify the attitudes of your heart towards all those around you, so that you truly grieve for their pain, mourn and hate their sin, and desire the best for them.The second image is in verse 9, where the person who is “slack in his work” is almost the same as one who destroys. Isn’t that a bit harsh? But then, the church in Thessalonica had a problem with people who were both idle and disruptive. Instead of being busy, they were busybodies (2 Thess. 3:11). So it seems that the problem with slackness isn’t just not doing something useful; it’s what you might get up to instead, the ungodly behaviours that laziness or boredom may bring out of us. That’s why the seemingly minor sin of slackness can lead to destructive behaviour (like being a busybody).I struggle with this one. For me, it’s important both to remember each day what things are really most important and valuable, and also to find ways of relaxing that are healthy and good for me.The final image is in verse 11, where the wealthy think their riches are like an impregnable city wall, giving them security and refuge in life. God’s verdict on that mindset is simple: “You fool!” (Luke 12:20). Riches are uncertain and slippery ground in this life, and will abandon us at the last judgment. But there is a true, impregnable fortress that the righteous run to instead of wealth: the Lord himself! Let’s ask him to help us not to hang onto material possessions tightly or trust in them, and let’s run to the Lord Jesus in faith each day.About the AuthorStephen in the senior minister of St Barnabas, and is trying to drag himself back into the habit of some regular exercise (see verse 9 in today’s passage…).