Perhaps you have been a victim of slander. If you've ever learned of lies being spoken against you, then you can relate to David's heart, as he cried out to God.
”O God, whom I praise,
don’t stand silent and aloof
2 while the wicked slander me
and tell lies about me.
3 They surround me with hateful words
and fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations
even as I am praying for them!
5 They repay evil for good,
and hatred for my love. “ Psalm 109:1-5
David’s heart was heavy because he was being slandered by someone he loved, and prayed for. Although your experience of being slandered against and /or gossiped about, may not have been by someone you love, I’m sure it still hurt. Beloved, we must be clear about how we may hurt others by participating in such behavior. It is essential that we cease from such ugliness, even for our own spiritual health.
Do a bit of research in the scriptures about holding your tongue. Proverbs is especially full of wisdom on the subject, but it is sprinkled throughout the word of God.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (New Living Translation)
16 There are six things the LORD hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Bible in Basic English
James 2:12-13 "Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time."
James 3 Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.
17-18Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
“James 4 11-12Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”
If we truly understood the judgment that we each deserve from God, we would be less inclined to judge others.
We would not be too quick to gossip about and judge others if we really understood the judgment that we are bringing upon ourselves. We are accountable for our words.
Matthew 7:2 "God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" Jesus
James 5:9 "Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner."
Proverbs 25:19 “Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth. “ MSG
"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another?" (James 4:11,12).
On the other hand, if you were correct and the person's words or actions have in some way caused you, or another, harm, then that person is given the opportunity to repent. Scripture gives further instruction concerning the course to take if the person does not repent (Matthew 18:16,17).
Matthew 7:1-2 (The Message)
A Simple Guide for Behavior
1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
“We slander when we ascribe wrong motives to people, even though we can’t see their hearts or know their particular circumstances. We slander when we blow out of proportion another person’s sin and make that person to be more sinful that he or she really is.”
– Jerry Bridges
God is not mocked and He will defend those being falsely accused, or gossiped about. This warning is for those who are partaking in behavior that is detestable to God. Psalm 140:12 (The Message)
“To gossip means to reveal or discuss personal facts about another person for no legitimate purpose; it often betrays a confidence.” – Ken Sande
When you find yourself gossiping, repent at once so that God will forgive you of this terrible, destructive sin. Gossip has its roots in jealousy, hate and self-pride. As with hate, you remove the person who is the object of your gossip from the love you should be showing (1 John 2:9,11; 3:15). As a result, you are murdering the person in your heart.
“Psalm 140:12-13 I know that you, God, are on the side of victims,
that you care for the rights of the poor.
And I know that the righteous personally thank you,
that good people are secure in your presence.”
I am determined to not even give an ear to gossip and slander. If you come to me with words about someone who is not present, unless they are praiseworthy, I will politely need to tell you that I will not participate. This has offended some but I do not want to be judged and I will not judge another.
Grayce Pedulla Dillon © 2010 <3 +
”O God, whom I praise,
don’t stand silent and aloof
2 while the wicked slander me
and tell lies about me.
3 They surround me with hateful words
and fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations
even as I am praying for them!
5 They repay evil for good,
and hatred for my love. “ Psalm 109:1-5
David’s heart was heavy because he was being slandered by someone he loved, and prayed for. Although your experience of being slandered against and /or gossiped about, may not have been by someone you love, I’m sure it still hurt. Beloved, we must be clear about how we may hurt others by participating in such behavior. It is essential that we cease from such ugliness, even for our own spiritual health.
Do a bit of research in the scriptures about holding your tongue. Proverbs is especially full of wisdom on the subject, but it is sprinkled throughout the word of God.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (New Living Translation)
16 There are six things the LORD hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Bible in Basic English
James 2:12-13 "Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time."
James 3 Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.
17-18Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
“James 4 11-12Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”
If we truly understood the judgment that we each deserve from God, we would be less inclined to judge others.
We would not be too quick to gossip about and judge others if we really understood the judgment that we are bringing upon ourselves. We are accountable for our words.
Matthew 7:2 "God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" Jesus
James 5:9 "Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner."
Proverbs 25:19 “Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth. “ MSG
"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another?" (James 4:11,12).
On the other hand, if you were correct and the person's words or actions have in some way caused you, or another, harm, then that person is given the opportunity to repent. Scripture gives further instruction concerning the course to take if the person does not repent (Matthew 18:16,17).
Matthew 7:1-2 (The Message)
A Simple Guide for Behavior
1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
“We slander when we ascribe wrong motives to people, even though we can’t see their hearts or know their particular circumstances. We slander when we blow out of proportion another person’s sin and make that person to be more sinful that he or she really is.”
– Jerry Bridges
God is not mocked and He will defend those being falsely accused, or gossiped about. This warning is for those who are partaking in behavior that is detestable to God. Psalm 140:12 (The Message)
“To gossip means to reveal or discuss personal facts about another person for no legitimate purpose; it often betrays a confidence.” – Ken Sande
When you find yourself gossiping, repent at once so that God will forgive you of this terrible, destructive sin. Gossip has its roots in jealousy, hate and self-pride. As with hate, you remove the person who is the object of your gossip from the love you should be showing (1 John 2:9,11; 3:15). As a result, you are murdering the person in your heart.
“Psalm 140:12-13 I know that you, God, are on the side of victims,
that you care for the rights of the poor.
And I know that the righteous personally thank you,
that good people are secure in your presence.”
I am determined to not even give an ear to gossip and slander. If you come to me with words about someone who is not present, unless they are praiseworthy, I will politely need to tell you that I will not participate. This has offended some but I do not want to be judged and I will not judge another.
Grayce Pedulla Dillon © 2010 <3 +
www.GrayceDillon.com
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