June 8
“The
hypocrite with his mouth
destroys his neighbor...”
Proverbs
11:9
Words are powerful things. Words spoken against a person
may be taken to heart by someone listening, and the person spoken
about might now be viewed by others through the lens of our hateful
words. We can destroy someone with our words.
vs 13:
“A
talebearer reveals secrets,
but he
who is of a faithful spirit
conceals a matter.”
You may
know a juicy bit of information about someone, and the temptation to
tell it to others may be great. But WHY is it that we get PLEASURE
out of telling juicy bits of information in the first place?
Where
does pleasure come from? Sin always begins with being drawn to an
anticipated pleasure. Whatever sin one is bound in, he doesn’t want
to leave it because it gives him pleasure. Do you hate someone?
Hatred is pleasure. How much time we spend relishing evil thoughts
about someone – because it gives us pleasure! All sin attaches
itself to us through the DECEIT of pleasure.
“Then, when
desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and
sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
James
1:15
Don’t be a gossip. Remember your own sin. And
remember the warning:
“Do not be deceived, God is not
mocked;
for whatever a man sows, that
he will also reap.”
Galatians
6:7
If you take pleasure in gossip, someone will take pleasure
in gossiping about YOU. That is what is meant by “reaping.” What
you have done to others, will be done to you.
Care about the
poor person about whom you know a juicy tidbit. They have feelings
just as you do. Find mercy in your heart for that person and conceal
the matter. With such an attitude God will be very much pleased.
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