DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 16, 2026
READ: Proverbs 11 (Focus vs. 11-13)
MEMORY VERSE
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13
BACKGROUND
When explaining how valuable he found time with an older advisor who regularly listened to his concerns, Tomáš said, “He is my hollow willow.”
When I looked at him blankly, Tomáš explained that the phrase is a Slovak expression signifying someone who keeps your secrets. In essence, the person is like a willow tree holding confidential information safely within its trunk.
It’s a treasure to have someone to whom we can confide our deepest fears and longings.
Perhaps speaking from his own experience, in a section of Proverbs highlighting the power of our words, King Solomon commended the individual who displays discretion or can “[hold] their tongue” (Proverbs 11:12).
He also contrasted two people: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” (v. 13). The comparison is a helpful reminder to carefully steward private conversations, though we shouldn’t remain silent if we’re genuinely concerned for someone’s safety.
In our digital world where we can quickly spread information, it can be tempting (and easy) to share juicy details that might generate reactions. But gossip not only hurts the individual who trusted you enough to share, it also causes significant damage to relationships when confidences are broken.
We can all aspire to be “hollow willows,” people of integrity who can be trusted to keep a confidence.
Lisa M. Samra
INSIGHT
Along with today’s passage, the book of Proverbs has much to say about the trouble gossiping causes. Proverbs 16:28 states, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Twice we read, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts” (18:8; 26:22). In the NLT Study Bible, a note on 18:8 says: “It’s as hard to refuse to listen to rumors or gossip as it is to turn down a delicious dessert.
Taking just one morsel of either one creates a taste for more.” Verse 20:19 warns, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Listening to or spreading gossip destroys friendships and leads to a desire for more gossip.
As believers in Jesus, God can help us be people of integrity who use speech that honors Him.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
Who’s someone you know that embodies the ideal of a “hollow willow?” How might you hold others’ words well?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“In our digital world where we can quickly spread information, it can be tempting (and easy) to share juicy details that might generate reactions. But gossip not only hurts the individual who trusted you enough to share, it also causes significant damage to relationships when confidences are broken.”
PR’s TAKE*
“It’s a treasure to have someone to whom we can confide our deepest fears and longings.” Today’s Post
“He who gossips with you, will eventually gossip with someone about you.” African Proverb -Adapted
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me steward others’ words responsibly.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“ANGRY WORDS”
Angry words! O let them never
From the tongue unbridled slip;
May the heart’s best impulse ever
Check them ere they soil the lip.
“Love one another,”
Thus saith the Savior;
Children, obey the Father’s blest command;
“Love one another,”
Thus saith the Savior;
Children, obey the blest command.
Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment’s reckless folly
Thus to desolate and mar.
“Love one another,”
Thus saith the Savior;
Angry words are lightly spoken
Bitt’rest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken
By a single angry word.
“Love one another,”
Thus saith the Savior;
Children, obey the Father’s blest command;
“Love one another,”
Thus saith the Savior;
Children, obey the blest command.
