Today’s Reading, Psalms 96-102
Focal Scripture: Psalms 101:5 “I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor; I cannot tolerate anyone with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart.”
There are some sins and issues that go unchecked in the Christian world. One of the biggest is gossip and slander. Too often people disguise this sin in the form of prayer or sharing information. It happens publicly and it happens behind closed doors. Slander and gossip seek to destroy a persons reputation. It desires to create a narrative that is untrue and would not be said to the person directly. It is designed to tear others down to build one’s self up.
In today’s reading we see how serious the psalmist takes slander and gossip. He declares that he will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor. This person who slanders another has haughty eyes and an arrogant heart. They have a personality that invites this attitude. The only way to end it is to call it out and let the person know it’s not biblical or godly.
I am not sure about you but I have witnessed many people use slander and gossip as weapons. Especially, if a person does something they do not like or agree with in their own lives. They will seek to say things and tell stories that are untrue and do not make the person look good to others. They are in the business of ruining others for their own gain.
Thankfully, in my life I have witnessed godly men and women who do not tolerate these sins that have become acceptable. They will immediately stop any conversation where a person is being talked about and they are not in the room. They will cut off any words that demean another person. These people have high character and value for others.
I have also seen the opposite take place. Where this attitude is almost encouraged and expected. Where untruth is populated. I had one occasion where a person told me something that I knew to be untrue. I called that person directly and said “I was told this is what you said.” And they were appalled and shocked that the person told the untruth that they did about another.
The challenge that you and I both have is to make sure we are not gossip or slanders and to not tolerate those who talk about others. I have seen too many people use leadership or information as a way to destroy and talk about others. I personally believe that gossip is one of the easiest ways to see if someone has been transformed by the Holy Spirit. If gossip is part of who they are it should raise major alarms about if they have meet Jesus.
Be different today and don’t participate or engage with those who gossip. Especially from those in leadership. They set the tone and if they gossip about others it will ruin the entire organization. It will ruin families and churches. It’s time to take this sin serious and call it out on the carpet.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 103-105
