Weekend Blessing
I write to you today with a open heart, wanting to help you see, some for the first time, others to remind, that we are, “To speak evil of no man.” Titus 3:2.
There are several reasons for which Christians should refrain from evil speaking. In deed all mankind should refrain from this great sin.
It is not only mean and shameful, but a pernicious fault. It produces harm in society, and is a cause why many live hateful lives and go through life hating one another. I say this to the shame of the church, but it is reported that an average of 53,000 leave the church every week because of hurt feeling associated with someone speaking evil of them. If it is this bad in the church, consider how much more so in the rest of society.
It is common and wide spread and very few are entirely free from it. Some are addicted to it, rarely reflect on it and always justify it. Evil speaking consists of spreading reports to the disadvantage of our neighbors. The worst kind of it is to spread lies of our own invention. The next kind is to report the truth that is ugly to them, especially with some kind of joy, or rejoicing in it. We judge that they deserve being exposed in it. God alone is the judge, let Him expose it. Remember what the Scriptures say about this;
“Whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, do you so unto them.”
Exposing our neighbor really tells on us. This betrayal is the worst kind. We often bring a punishment on others, too heavy for what they have done. Many lives have been restricted, and ruined by such gossip and slander. We may be guilty of misrepresenting them. We don’t know their heart. When the discourse is censorious and malicious, the mind that conceives it is no better. We deceive ourselves in thinking that words can do little or no harm and that the guilt of them is inconsiderably small.
One of the deepest causes is ill nature and cruelty of disposition. Sad to say, but true, there are some that are so sour on life, that they do not want any one else to be happy, so they will say or do anything to try and make the rest of the world as miserable as themselves. Only those so bad themselves can speak thus of others. Malice and revenge demand you speak evil of others. Envy will produce this sin. When someone has what you cannot have, the tempter would have you destroy it.
Curiosity can be another cause. The desire to find out something that is none of your business, leads you to stir up talk, as a diversion, with the intent to draw attention away from yourself. I know two ladies in one of my past churches that bragged about being the town gossipers. They admitted to wanting to know all they could about everybody’s business. They had no friends but each other, and even so, would gossip and lie about each other. Here is my suggested prevention:
Never say an evil of any man but what you know for certain, and then only to the will of God. Be sure the person of whom you speak, has never done a good deed for you. To repay good with evil represents Satan. Learn to pity the faults of others and be truly sorry for them, and take no pleasure in it. When someone says evil of one you know, answer with some good you know in that person. Refuse to hear evil of another. Keep it out of your diet. Mind your own store. You have enough to deal with. Set a watch upon the door of your lips. Speak not without consideration.
Now have a good week and think about these things.