I haven't blogged for awhile. I have been busy with everyday life and all that entails. A situation came up that has been weighing heavy on my mind lately and I thought I would share it and see what people think.
I heard a conversation between two people I know. The two talking did not know that I had heard the conversation. It was not a good conversation and when I heard it my heart hurt for both the talkers and the talkee they were talking about. I wanted to cry. The words they spoke were not serious just gossip but I realized at that point just how deadly gossip is. The person they were talking about will never know the conversation took place but the words went out and created hurt to me for hearing them.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
The Lord brought a quickening to my spirit, how many times have we just randomly spoke things out into the atmosphere that cause hurt to those who hear them.
James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Just sayin'
Whenever this type of thing happens to me, I've learned to ask myself, "So Debra... how are *you* doing in this area?" Sometimes it takes seeing others' mistakes before we realize our own. I can only change myself, though yes, I can pray for those whose errors I witnessed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe God places us bloggers in certain situations so that we have something to write about, something to teach others--but there, too, our own hearts will be revealed through our words.
The Bible says teachers will be judged more strictly (shiver!) and that verse is just one which makes me point fingers way more often at myself than at others. It always keeps me quiet lots of times when I sure would have loved to give my opinion. :) Great reminder post! Blessings, Debra
Good point Debra. I spend a lot of time being silent with the Lord's hand over my mouth :) It's not easy and I fall short sometimes!
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