London’s
domed St. Paul’s Cathedral has an interesting architectural phenomenon called
the “whispering gallery.” One Web site explains it this way: “The name comes
from the fact that a person who whispers facing the wall on one side can be
clearly heard on the other, since the sound is carried perfectly around the
vast curve of the Dome.”
In other
words, you and a friend could sit on opposite sides of architect Sir
Christopher Wren’s great cathedral and carry on a conversation without having
to speak above a whisper.
While
that may be a fascinating feature of St. Paul’s Cathedral, it can also be a
warning to us. What we say about others in secret can travel just as easily as
whispers travel around that gallery. And not only can our gossip travel far and
wide, but it often does great harm along the way.
Perhaps
this is why the Bible frequently challenges us about the ways we use words. The
wise King Solomon wrote, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he
who restrains his lips is wise” ( Prov. 10:19) .
Instead
of using whispers and gossip that can cause hurt and pain while serving no good
purpose, we would do better to restrain ourselves and practice silence.
Gossip
ends at a wise person’s ears. (RBC)
