SHOULD WE REVEAL EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT OTHERS?
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Pro 18:21)
A prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand - an elderly woman known for her candor. After requesting her name, he asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She replied, “Horace, I've known you since you were a lad. And frankly, you’re a big disappointment. You lie, ignore parking tickets, cheat on your wife, and blackmail people in order to get your way. You think you’re a big shot when in reality you’re a conniving fraud. Yes, I know you."
The stunned prosecutor, not quite knowing how to proceed, pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Williams, do you know the council for the defense?"
She again replied, "Of course! I've known Jim Bradley since he was a youngster. And let me tell you, he’s also a disappointment. He's lazy, incompetent, and drinks too much. He’s been divorced twice and is now living with a bimbo he met in a bar. I know him, as well."
After ordering the now boisterous courtroom to settle down, the judge called the counselors to the bench. In a hushed but stern tone he warned, "If either of you asks Mrs. Jones if she knows me, I’ll fine you $1000 and jail you for contempt!"
**********************************************************************************************
As Christians, we know that gossip, slander, backbiting and unfair judgments are wrong.
· “…they (the wicked) are whisperers, backbiters…” (Rom 1:29b-30a)
· (The wicked are) “…unloving, unforgiving, slanderers…” (2 Tim 3:3)
· "Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Mat 7:1)
Yet some Christians, like the woman in the story, believe they should publicize the failings of others. Does the Bible support this practice? In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus taught us how to handle situations in which Christians are wronged by others. He emphasized that, initially, the situation be resolved one-on-one. This would also apply if we become aware that a Christian is living in sin.
Yet the Bible does NOT grant us license to “publicize” the past sins or failings of others. On the contrary, we are commanded to:
· “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger…and evil speaking be put away from you, with all
malice.” (Eph 4:31)
· “…laying aside all malice…and all evil speaking…” (1 Pet 2:1)
· “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.” (Jam 4:11)
As Christians it is our responsibility to be kind, loving and forgiving (Eph 4:32), not “spreaders of dirt”. May we be VERY careful concerning what we reveal about others.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Pro 18:21)
A prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand - an elderly woman known for her candor. After requesting her name, he asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She replied, “Horace, I've known you since you were a lad. And frankly, you’re a big disappointment. You lie, ignore parking tickets, cheat on your wife, and blackmail people in order to get your way. You think you’re a big shot when in reality you’re a conniving fraud. Yes, I know you."
The stunned prosecutor, not quite knowing how to proceed, pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Williams, do you know the council for the defense?"
She again replied, "Of course! I've known Jim Bradley since he was a youngster. And let me tell you, he’s also a disappointment. He's lazy, incompetent, and drinks too much. He’s been divorced twice and is now living with a bimbo he met in a bar. I know him, as well."
After ordering the now boisterous courtroom to settle down, the judge called the counselors to the bench. In a hushed but stern tone he warned, "If either of you asks Mrs. Jones if she knows me, I’ll fine you $1000 and jail you for contempt!"
**********************************************************************************************
As Christians, we know that gossip, slander, backbiting and unfair judgments are wrong.
· “…they (the wicked) are whisperers, backbiters…” (Rom 1:29b-30a)
· (The wicked are) “…unloving, unforgiving, slanderers…” (2 Tim 3:3)
· "Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Mat 7:1)
Yet some Christians, like the woman in the story, believe they should publicize the failings of others. Does the Bible support this practice? In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus taught us how to handle situations in which Christians are wronged by others. He emphasized that, initially, the situation be resolved one-on-one. This would also apply if we become aware that a Christian is living in sin.
Yet the Bible does NOT grant us license to “publicize” the past sins or failings of others. On the contrary, we are commanded to:
· “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger…and evil speaking be put away from you, with all
malice.” (Eph 4:31)
· “…laying aside all malice…and all evil speaking…” (1 Pet 2:1)
· “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.” (Jam 4:11)
As Christians it is our responsibility to be kind, loving and forgiving (Eph 4:32), not “spreaders of dirt”. May we be VERY careful concerning what we reveal about others.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
RSS Feed