A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
--Proverbs 16:28
It’s an unfortunate reality today that gossip has become an acceptable sin for many Christians, social media playing no small part. But I think I’ve found a good way to stop the rumor -mongering that’s so prevalent. When someone says something to you that’s gossip, simply ask, “Can I quote you on that?” Because if you can’t write it down and sign your name to it, you shouldn’t be saying it. On the other hand, if it’s real and valid, you ought to be able to sign your name to it!
Now, I know some people enjoy writing anonymous letters, emails, or social media posts, many of which I’ve received or have been about me or others. But I think it is one of the most cowardly things a person can do. That’s why anonymous letters that I receive go right in the trash.
But if someone writes a criticism about me and signs his name, then I pray about it and ask God to show me the truth in the accusation. If I’m wrong, I want to know it! But the criticism should be from someone who’s willing to sign his name.
Things shared in secret rarely have redeeming or purposeful value. In fact, I’d say they are most often sinful. So if you have a valid criticism against others, stand up and share it with them. Sign your name to it, and let it be their decision whether or not to receive it. Then you have a clear conscience, knowing you’re not guilty of gossip.
KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAR BY BEING FORWARD WITH YOUR CRITICISMS AND AVOIDING HARMFUL GOSSIP AND ANONYMOUS SLANDER.
Judging Ourselves Instead of Others
Friday, February 28, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
Romans 14:10–13
Most of us find it easier to judge those around us than to look in the mirror and honestly assess our own failings and shortcomings. That part of our nature is why there are so many admonitions in the Bible against judging other people. When we are focused on other people, we cannot be focused on the Lord as we should. It is not our place to evaluate someone else’s service to God, but rather to make sure our own is right.
The lure of comparing ourselves to others can derail us in two ways. We can find things we think are superior about our lives and service, and thus give in to pride. Or we can find things we think are inferior about our lives and service, and thus give in to self-pity. Both of those are wrong. God does not measure us against what others do, but against what we do with what He has given to us.
Our responsibility is not to keep everyone else in line. We should be helpful and encouraging, but the only person we should be judging is ourselves. When we do that, it offers us protection. Paul wrote, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).
Today's Growth Principle:
Focusing on our own service to God rather than others protects us from temptation and danger.
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