PUTTING OUT THE FIRE

Solomon gives this wise counsel: “
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20

The reference is to gossip. ‘Gossip (that is, the one who goes around whispering and slandering) fuels contention just as wood fuels a fire. The point of the proverb is to prevent contention—if one takes away the cause, contention will cease.’ (NET notes)

This is very much like Proverbs 18:8:
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; and they have gone down into the person’s innermost being.” The literal idea is that gossip, like a bite of food we enjoy, ‘has gone down into the dark/inner chamber of the belly.’ Gossip is fully ingested and digested.

To put out a fire is to take away what fuels it. This happens as we cease to gossip and cease listening to others that gossip. Fuel is gone…Fire is suppressed.

“Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.” Jesus