Proverbs - Messengers

Proverbs 13:17

 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Messengers must be careful when delivering the words or intentions of another.  We are warned that if we are not faithful messengers we will find ourselves suddenly in some trouble.  When we repeat something to our children that their father has said, are we accurately representing him?  If we repeat a matter to a friend are we sure that we aren’t slanting things in our favor or with some sort of mischievous intent behind it?  When we don’t deliver a message in its accuracy, both in content and tone, we can end up in all kinds of conflict and trouble. 

This verse says that we will fall into it.  Falling implies a sudden loss of footing and becoming entrapped in a place beneath a stable surface.  Ladies, we don’t want this kind of unnecessary entrapment.  We want to be faithful ambassadors - faithful to our managers, husbands, friends and the Lord.  When we deliver some sort of message let us be slow to speak and seek to be as gracious and accurate as possible.  If we are not sure about something, we should go back to the one who sent us and then deliver the message.  Let us never fill in the blanks just to get something done.  This way we can walk steadily and bring health to those who hear us without dealing unnecessarily with mischief caused by our own laziness or wickedness.