Harmless conversation,
gossip, “judging others,” and slander are topics, today, along with more on the
obedience of Abraham when commanded to sacrifice his son. The “Yahoo! Answers”
writer using ID “purplestars” (Level 2 with 389 points, a member since May 8,
2011) posted the following:
Christians: when does it become
gossiping....?
So you come home from school/work and you start
complaining about an acquaintance of yours who's been treating you wrongly. You
tell them everything they've said/done to you and say things like 'He's so
annoying' and 'I can't stand him' etc.... Is this gossiping? It it a sinful
conversation?... Or are you simply sharing your life with your
family?
When does it become a sin? Opinions
please!
THE BATTLE AXE: Therefore
There Was Trust (01/07/2013)—Christian believers, today, receive the account of
Abraham willing to sacrifice his son Isaac as an important type that
clarifies promise and salvation from our Creator through the judgment, suffering
and death of the Incarnate person of GOD, Jesus Christ. A ram was discovered
entangled among thorn bushes, and served as a substitute provided by GOD to
replace the living boy. Given his position as heir to the priesthood and the
promises from GOD bestowed upon Abraham, the obedience and submission by Isaac
(the son) may be seen having as great significance as that of Abraham (the
father), who is called “the Friend of GOD” (see James 2: 23 and 4: 4, KJV).
Intimate knowledge and relationship to GOD are through faith, a totally divine
substance residing in the fullness of the Divine Person. Faith is inseparable
from such other aspects of divinity as holiness, joy, love, righteousness,
wisdom, and wrath against sin. While believers receive necessary increases of
faith through the imparted, indwelling Spirit, they only come into consistency
and mature understanding by practice, repetition, and self-regimen over the
course of time. Many sacred experiences and years of spiritual growth may be
required before one routinely operates with faith having the focus and power
seen through Abraham and Isaac. The apostles who were chosen as witnesses to
the resurrection of Jesus all had lived with him on a daily basis, had been
eyewitness of his ministry and miracles, and received the Comforter at
Pentecost. Those simple men could work as church-builders, preachers and
teachers because they had gone through intimate experience to impart and nourish
faith. Now, a spirit from GOD that always has been a part of created beings and
living creatures, that would occasionally visit and leave selected persons, has
become an abiding presence that will remain in all believers. Therefore there
is trust.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Either
make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his
fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of
vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart
bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth
forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew
12: 33-37, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mockers
in the Last Times (11/14/2012); Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012); Father Forgive
(09/06/2012); About Being Friendly (03/09/2012); Faith Establishes Law
(03/10/2012); (08/24/2011) Dispatch 16: The Ally (Wounded); Respect?
(01/02/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011)
Sharing a “factual” report that describes
another person’s behavior is not automatically an attack upon their character
and reputation that would encourage listeners to deny cooperation,
opportunities, privileges or respect to the person who has been spoken about.
Also, requesting ideas and alternative responses from others is not the same as
soliciting judgment. Even so, because we realize that what we say, and how we
say it (using facial expression, gestures, body language and movement), are
easily misinterpreted, taken out of context, and applied beyond the limited
scope of a speaker’s intent, we “silently” agree to be careful, and restrict our
speech. The lines among hints, insinuation, “unfounded accusations,”
persuasion, and false witness are subtle (i.e., barely detectable; nearly
invisible).
Where the name “Satan” is held to mean
“adversary”, the word “devil” is defined as “one who slanders.” To slander is
to “bad mouth” someone in their absence (we say talk about them “behind their
back”), and is called “character assassination,” gossip, “muckraking,”
“murmuring,” “digging up dirt” and “whispering.” Given the intent and purpose
of such behavior is to damage and hurt another, those who practice slander are
accounted as servants to Satan. As such, they are the source of deceit, lies,
and misinformation. While they promote their thrusts against another as
righteous indignation and divinely directed judgment, unrighteousness
characterizes their effort. Almighty GOD goes so far as to raise the wicked
dead that they may respond to their only accuser in judgment, the record of
their own behavior and deeds. (Satan, the accuser of the brethren, already will
have been cast into the lake of fire, the second death.)
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the person we would gossip
about is the person we should pray will receive life-changing benefit from GOD.
Believers should never speak about another person what they won’t speak to them
face-to-face. The same discipline, tact, and skill they would use to avoid
making someone angry, combative, insulted and provoked when speaking to them in
private is to be used when speaking about them in public. Saying this another
way, what you may not say when praying to GOD requesting that another person
have benefit—that is, when showing love—is better left out of mind, and
unspoken.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you
according to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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