Whispering Not-So-Sweet Nothings

I remember back in high school, we had a joke about "whispering sweet nothings" in other people's ears. We would run up to someone unaware and in a garbled, low, and whispering voice say the words "sweet nothings" as close to someone's ear as possible. For most it tickled or itched the ear, and sometimes it was more like getting a "wet willy" (when you lick your finger then put it in some ones ear and twist your wet finger around) because of the moisture developed due to proximity.

Actually the true meaning behind "whispering sweet nothings" refers to whispering words into your lover's ear in hopes of arousing sexual stimulation. Often guys try whispering a few naughty or suggestive phrases, but in reality it doesn't really matter what they say as long as they say it in a sexy way - from bad pick-up lines, to compliments that often lack respect.    

Oh, the immaturity of those high school years. It kinda makes me laugh, now. Or does it...

Proverbs 26:22 talks about another kind of whispering. 

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 

This to me is also about "whispering nothings" - maybe not "sweet" ones, but "nothings" just the same. This proverbial wisdom is about gossiping. Gossip may just be the most dangerous sin in our world, and definitely destructive in our churches and meetings.

Much like me and my high school buddies finding pleasure in our little joke, most people find great pleasure in gossiping. We have to admit it - gossiping feels good. When you or I have some information to share that no one else has considered, it makes us feel important. It makes us feel full. It gives us a feeling of pleasure or arousal (hopefully not in a sexual way).

This whispering of "not-so-sweet" nothings is compared to eating a good meal - a "dainty morsel" - a tasty piece of food. It goes down so good and smooth, yet the aftertaste can be more like that "wet willy" experience than any arousal.    

I think Eugene Peterson's translation in The Message may be more applicable here:  

Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy, do you want junk like that in your belly?

Our little high school prank often took advantage of the innocent, during a class, at the lockers, at lunch, and even while catching that nap in study hall. It gave us satisfaction watching someone jump out of their seat, stick their finger in their ear and begin to itch. We would laugh, while the other person often did not appreciate it as much as we did.

There is an old German term for this action. It is schadenfreude (SHAHDn-FROI-deh): the satisfaction from the misfortune of others. That is a perfect definition of gossip. We often find ourselves dying to tell someone a discomforting secret, only to be sharing our schadenfreude.
 
Looking back, our little prank in high school, probably wasn't that damaging and often did get a good laugh. But there were some peers who really were bothered by it. And they often became the targets of our attacks, because we knew they would respond. I think that may border on "bullying" [another important topic to consider in the near future].

But this week, I am taking time to reflect on my "whispering" habits. What "not-so-sweet nothings" have I been dropping in the ears of those around me? Who have I left a "wet willy" instead of a laugh or encouragement? Where have I digested that "dainty morsel" only to find myself wanting to throw up because it was simply "cheap candy"?

Maybe instead, this week, I should focus more on listening to that other Whisperer - the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my life. Actually, I heard the Spirit's whisper in a most unusual place this week - a Chinese Proverb which reads:

"Speak only well of people, and you need never whisper."