ADAR
7
Gossip
“When they come to see me they speak insincerely,
their hearts meanwhile gathering falsehoods; then they go out and spread bad
reports.” (Ps 41:6 CJB)
Some years ago, my husband and I
found ourselves involved in a situation that we did not enjoy, did NOT want
any part of, a situation that did irreparable harm to a couple that were, at
that time, close friends of ours. It was
a situation all caused by ‘gossip’, and sadly, it was fueled by the leader of a
local congregation. Beloved, this is a
situation that ought never to be.
How many of us – in all honesty –
have started a conversation with the words, “Have you talked to (or seen)
so-and-so lately?” Or what about, “Have
you heard what’s happened to ‘what’s his name’?” Brothers and sisters beware of people trying
to ‘pump’ you for information. Our kadosh - holy and set-apart - Father
knows who He can trust with what He chooses to reveal, and He knows who will go
straight to prayer with what He reveals to them. If we, as children of Elohei Mikkarov - the God
who is near (see Jer 23:23) - cannot be faithful with the secrets of our
brothers and sisters, how dare we
think that Elohim will take and reveal His
hidden secrets to those who are nothing but talebearers and slanderers?
What many do not realize is that
gossip is a form of pride and is motivated by a critical spirit. When it comes from those in leadership, it is
‘doubly damned’, because it is setting an example for the congregation that is
not scriptural any way you examine it, nor is it indicative of the life of
Messiah Yeshua. We are all called to be living epistles, read
by all men (2Cor 3:2-3), and there is nothing
that will destroy our witness and testimony for the Master faster that ugly
gossip.
If you are asked, in confidence,
to pray – then pray. We must prove
ourselves faithful in the little, before more will be added (see Mat 25:14-23; Luke
19:12-19). Have you seen congregations that
just don’t seem to grow? Look and see if
perhaps gossip is a problem in that assembly. This principal can also apply to our personal
lives as well; if we would be honest and open with ourselves, can we say that
we are maturing in the manner our Elohim would have us to do? Perhaps it is time to pray more and ‘talk
about it’ (gossip) less …
“If
there's no wood, the fire goes out; if nobody gossips, contention stops.”
(Pro 26:20 CJB)
“יהוה, who does sojourn in Your Tent? Who does dwell in Your
set-apart mountain? He who walks blamelessly, And does righteousness, And
speaks the truth in his heart. He has NOT SLANDERED with his tongue, He has not
done evil to his neighbour, NOR LIFTED UP A REPROACH AGAINST his friend ...” (Ps 15:1-3, emphasis mine)
Avinu, Malcheinu, our Father, our King, we repent. We repent of this deadly sin of gossip, for we know that it is a tool that is used to divide and conquer, to separate Your children, Your called-out ones. We come before You and ask that You would put a guard on our tongues, on our hearts, and upon our ears, that we would not participate in this evil. We would be holy and set-apart, as You are holy, in every area of our lives, that You would be glorified. In the Name and authority of Yeshua HaMashiach, our Messiah King, we pray …
©2021
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