Whisperings, in the biblical context, often refer to secretive or malicious speech that can lead to discord and division among individuals or within a community. The Bible addresses the issue of whisperings as a form of gossip or slander, which is condemned as sinful behavior that disrupts harmony and trust.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, whisperings are frequently associated with deceit and betrayal. Proverbs 16:28 states, "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." This verse highlights the destructive power of whisperings, as they can create rifts even among those who are close. The Hebrew term often translated as "gossip" or "whisperer" carries the connotation of secretive or underhanded speech.

The book of Psalms also addresses the issue of whisperings. In Psalm 41:7 , it is written, "All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me." Here, whisperings are depicted as a tool used by enemies to plot harm and spread falsehoods about the psalmist.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to warn against the dangers of whisperings. In Romans 1:29-30 , the Apostle Paul lists whisperings among a series of sinful behaviors: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful." Here, whisperings are equated with other serious sins, emphasizing their severity in the eyes of God.

In 2 Corinthians 12:20 , Paul expresses concern about the behavior of the Corinthian church, saying, "For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder." Whisperings, in the form of gossip, are seen as a source of division and conflict within the church community.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible's treatment of whisperings underscores the importance of integrity and honesty in communication. Whisperings are often linked to deceit and malice, which are contrary to the Christian virtues of love, truth, and unity. Ephesians 4:29 advises believers, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."

The biblical admonition against whisperings calls Christians to be mindful of their speech, ensuring that it edifies rather than harms others. The emphasis is on fostering a community where truth and love prevail, avoiding the pitfalls of secretive and harmful communication that can lead to division and strife.

Mary at the Cross.
... And while we think very little of stifling the scarcely breathed whisperings in
our own heart and mind, we should consider that it is only such whisperings ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xx mary at the cross.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... many listen to these whisperings and thus defraud the household of faith of their
individual gifts, not understanding the meaning of the beehive, which teaches ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... long enough to dreary suggestions from within, to gloomy prophecies from desponding
friends, to the taunts of foes, and to the horrible whisperings of Satan ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... world. He sends his whisperings through old ocean's bed, where the great
leviathan sports, as if he talked to one across the room. ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

With whom we are to Associate.
... day by day, spending their time with fortune-tellers, and begging priests, and
disreputable old women; and they keep up old wives' whisperings over their cups ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

A Personal Experience.
... There would, however, in our more secluded hours, when naught stood between us
and the whisperings of our soul, arise thoughts of futurity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /a personal experience.htm

Prayerful Remembrance.
... Then do not drive these whisperings from your mind Nor cast them carelessly upon
the wind: 'Tis but the voice of God, in tender care For suffering one on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/prayerful remembrance.htm

Another Archbishop
... breath was hardly out of the Archbishop's body when there were a dozen austere
intriguers' in the field, and the subterranean plots and whisperings began, and ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... rebellion. The narrative draws a distinction between the language addressed
to Moses, and the whisperings to one another. Publicly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul I Will Hearken ...
... mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper
of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter i of the inward 2.htm

Whisperings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whisperings (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians
12:20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might ...
/w/whisperings.htm - 6k

Whispering (7 Occurrences)

/w/whispering.htm - 8k

Whistle (3 Occurrences)

/w/whistle.htm - 9k

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/q/quarreling.htm - 11k

Outbursts (5 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/o/outbursts.htm - 8k

Gossip (7 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/g/gossip.htm - 9k

Factions (5 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/f/factions.htm - 7k

Riots (3 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/r/riots.htm - 7k

Disorder (6 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/d/disorder.htm - 8k

Proud (96 Occurrences)
... might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts ...
/p/proud.htm - 33k

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