Why do people talk so much about other people?This is a question that plagues me. It's already hard to understand this generally, but it's even harder to fathom when it pertains to "the body of Christ". Isn't it ironic that the church talks more about each other than the world? I want to address this today. Flow with me for a minute...
It's time for sisters and brothers in Christ to start protecting each other and stop harming one another with our mouths. The Word of God talks about these uncontrollable tongues in our mouths. We must get them under control. Stop the gossip, backbiting, slandering...they are all the same. They all lead to something being uttered to defame or to damage, outside of the presence of the individual that's being spoken about. Why do we do this? Do we not realize that it is our responsibility as the "body of Christ" to love one another? In this love there is no backbiting. In this love we don't speak evil of one another and maliciously spread things to destroy someones character...even if it's truth. We are supposed to to build and edify one another in the Lord according to the Word of God. Ephesians 4:29 says, "let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it." Is what you're saying being a blessing to who you're saying it to?
We must realize that maintaining Godly character and integrity is so vitally important! What comes out of our mouths is what shapes our character. So we must constantly WATCH WHAT WE SAY! I've heard people say, "I wasn't thinking when I said that" or "I didn't mean it like that" or "well, it's the truth"...people of God, we must change this. We are killing each other every time we do this. Colossians 3:8 tells us to put away slandering from our mouths. Let's obey the Word of God.
Your truth about someone else is meaningless until you speak it to them. Telling it to a second, third, and fourth party does nothing but stir up strife. It causes division and shapes a perception in the minds of those that are hearing you. It causes heartache and anger to the person it was about. We don't want to grieve the Holy Spirit with this type of nonsense. It's really not worth what it costs you each time you open your mouth behind someones back. Psalms 15 lets us know that not only are the upright and righteous going to dwell in God's holy hill, but the one who does not backbite with his tongue. Interesting, huh?
Backbiting is such a destructive force. It has caused many relationships to be severed, many fights, and many depressions. Whether you're the speaker or the hearer, if you're involved, you're a backbiter. And if you're a hearer, bring correction to the speaker and withdraw from that conversation. If it's not edifying you and building you for spiritual progress, get away from it! And if you're the speaker, sincerely ask God to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. Those slanderous ways proceed out of a jacked-up heart and a bad spirit. Ask God to renew you now so that you can be beneficial to the "body of Christ" and not cankerous.
Let's pray: Father, forgive me for being so critical, judgemental, and causing pain to others. Forgive me for being a backbiter, slanderer, gossiper. I now realize that this type of behavior does not bring You glory and Father, I want to bring You glory. I don't want to grieve Your Spirit. I don't want to be insensitive or inconsiderate to others. Help me to demonstrate to others the same love You demonstrate to me. I want the words of my mouth to be a blessing to those that hear me. I submit my mind and heart to you today. Change me from the inside out so that I can be identified as Your child. Thank You Father for Your love towards me. Thank You for Your forgiving power. Thank You for a new me. I receive it now, in Jesus' Name...amen.
Let's continue to be transformed into the image of Christ...LOVE. Love doesn't back stab, it COVERS. Let's cover one another and continue in the unity of the faith. We are stronger together than we are divided.
I know this may be a bit strong, but sometimes strong is what we need. Everything I write, I write in love and in expectation of educating people, whether churched or unchurched. So please, if this has hit you, receive it and grow by it; it's good for you!
Practice balancing your words with God's words. Psalms 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight." In everything I say and think Father, I want to please You. Let this become your conviction today.
With one blog at a time...working towards a better you,
Pastor Renee Roberts