Infectious Diseases: Be on Guard (Spiritual Health)

The Gossip

“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Proverbs 20:19).
The word translated “slanderer” gives us an interesting word picture in the Hebrew original. It describes a person who travels about from one place to another as a trader or a merchant, and, in this context, it describes someone who trades information and gossip; the kind of person who always has news about people, which he passes along with great delight. The word “secrets” refers to intimate conversations held between friends, but this person knows no loyalty, and confidences are free, uncovered, and exposed to others. “He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13). “A slanderer separates intimate friends” (Proverbs 16:28, cf. 17:9; 18:8).

The warning is clear: “Do not associate with a gossip.” The word “gossip” literally means “one who opens a mouth.” People who do not know how to keep their mouths closed are people to be avoided; first, because they will not be loyal to you; second, because they will not be loyal to others and will twist your attitudes toward other people; and third, because you will become infected with a critical attitude toward people and you will spend your time analyzing faults and failures of other people to no one’s profit, least of all your own.

The Quick-Tempered

“Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man. Lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself” (Proverbs 22:24-25). This proverb has in mind the man who lives with his emotions out of control. He has a habit of venting all the pent-up steams within him, but people nearby are often scalded in the process. The term “given to anger” suggests that this man is mastered by his anger, and his lack of ability to control his emotions suggests that inwardly he is filled with resentment and bitterness. That attitude quickly spills over onto others. “An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgressions” (Proverbs 29:22).

Few things are as contagious as a critical and resentful spirit. If I associate with people who constantly pour out their bitterness and negativism, it will be very difficult for me not to adopt their view of life. If I spend time with someone who lives out of control, I am going to find myself in some very embarrassing situations, because his uncontrolled anger will implicate me as well. “A man of great anger shall bear penalty, for if you rescue him you will only have to do it again” (Proverbs 19:19). The spirit of uncontrolled bitterness and anger will all too easily embitter my spirit, shred my motivation, and rob my joy. Thus God’s counsel is “do not associate with a man given to anger.”

The Disloyal and Discontent

“My son, fear the Lord and the King; do not associate with those who are given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” (Proverbs 24:21-22)
The people described as “given to change” are not creative innovators, who are on the front lines of progress, but people who are rebellious and disloyal. They are the great company of the discontent, people who are perpetually dissatisfied with God’s will for their lives and with those in authorities over them. God’s Word calls us to cultivate an attitude of godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). If I surround myself with complainers who are constantly undermining a proper attitude toward authority, both that of God and those appointed by God, it will be very difficult for me to sustain a true reverence for God and men.

The Self-Indulgent

“He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father” (Proverbs 28:7).
The word “glutton” gives us a fascinating word picture in Hebrew. The root word means “to be light” and it came to mean “to regard as light, to place little value upon,” and then “to squander, to indulge lavishly.” Gluttony is only one form of this disease. Actually, it describes any form of free-spending self-indulgence, from the conspicuous consumer who must always have the newest and finest to the hedonist, vigorously pursuing the latest thrill.

Why are we warned against this kind of person? Because if we are caught up in a lifestyle of self-indulgence, in whatever form, our hearts are slowly drawn away from the lordship of Jesus Christ, we cannot adopt the world’s lifestyle and live as spending, self-indulgent friends will place us in direct conflict with our Lord’s claims upon us.

The Immoral

“A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth” (Proverbs 29:3).
Stated as our proverb has it, the message is so obvious that we could never question it. Obviously friendship with prostitutes in out of place for a Christian, but there is also a legitimate extension of the principle. If I surround myself with immoral friends, with people whose sexual standards and practices contradict God’ Word, I am on the pathway to disaster. And the principle reaches one step further. If I keep company with people who delight in suggestive speech and whose moral standard is one of the lowest common denominators rather than godly excellence, I have chosen the wrong kinds of friends.