To Repeat or Not to Repeat
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” Proverbs 13:3
NEVER be party to slander or a false report. If such were not going to be an activity to avoid, the Bible would not have so very much to say about it.
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an UNRIGHTEOUS WITNESS. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” Exodus 23:1-2
IF you are spreading information about another person that YOU WERE NOT A LITERAL WITNESS OF – WITH YOUR OWN EYES – you are being “an unrighteous witness” by repeating a matter you are not a literal witness of.
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
“Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” Luke 3:14
NEVER EVER DRAW CONCLUSION ON ANYTHING BEFORE YOU’VE HEARD THE WHOLE STORY
A stern divine warning to refrain from drawing conclusion, from speaking before we have the full spectrum of information. It really is true that there are at least two sides to every story.
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13
Are not our laws in this country crafted after this truth? “Innocent UNTIL PROVEN guilty.”…
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” Proverbs 18:17
“He that is first in his answer in a disputed matter may appear to be right, but his opponent comes to cross-examine him and brings the real truth to light.” Dake
Like myself, have you ever heard one side of a story and determined with great anger which party was guilty? Then, the other party spoke and you were left dumbfounded at just how deceived you originally were, having heard just one side of the story? O, how long shall it be till we ingest and adhere to our LORD’s infinite wisdom/Word?
Laws against False Witnesses … The Severe Punishment of All False Witnesses
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two WITNESSES, or at the mouth of three WITNESSES, shall the matter be established. 16 If A FALSE WITNESS (someone who didn’t SEE for themselves) rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.” Deuteronomy 19:15-20
False witnesses like Haman will be hung on their own gallows – the one they constructed to kill another. – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”(Galatians 6:7) The LORD misses nothing. He sees all and will repay those who repeat something they are not a literal witness of.
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
The sin problem of judging others, wrongly that is, while we have a log in our own eye, is that God knows all our own sin we’ve not overcome yet, and is going to now expose and flip our life upside down. We’d better think long and hard about sending for unwarranted judgments on others when it’s not the Holy Spirit leading us to correct them “in the spirit of meekness” to help them restored to Christ (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-2; James 2:13).
“And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Acts 10:15
Dare we count unclean that which God has cleansed? Dare we call David unclean for his sin when the LORD forgave, cleansed, justified Him? Dare well the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5 unclean after he was forgiven and restored?! (2 Corinthians 2)
Beloved of God, if after being saved, you have ever once lied, stolen, coveted, lusted in your heart, refused to forgive, etc., you were choosing to be “unclean” – defiled in the eyes of a holy God. Yet, when you turn your heart back to the LORD, confessing your sin, He freely forgave you. Right? Right! (1 John 1:9) In light of this, how shall we presently and forward, assess those in Christ’s family who have sinned? Shall we celebrate their return, their restoration as did the father of the prodigal son and as Paul did with the forgiven and restored previous fornicator? (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2)
AS was the case with the fornicator in the Corinthians church (1 Corinthians 5), when he repented, here’s what Paul then instructed the other believers in Corinth to do:
“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
WHEN someone repents, it’s over. The offense is gone, done, washed away, remitted by the very “precious blood of Christ” – as if it were never committed (1 Peter 1:18-19). The transgressors is forgiven and restored (yet he will still reap what he sowed Galatians 6:7-8).
Of this truth the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:
2:11 Just as there is danger for an assembly if it does not take disciplinary action when called for, so there is a danger of not exercising forgiveness when true repentance has taken place. Satan is always ready to step into a situation such as this with his cunning devices. In the first case, he will wreck the testimony of an assembly through tolerated sin, and in the second, he will overwhelm the repentant person with overmuch sorrow, if the assembly does not restore him. If Satan can’t destroy by immorality, he will try by the unmeasured sorrow following repentance.
Commenting on the expression “we are not ignorant of his devices”, J. Sidlow Baxter says:
Satan uses all manner of stratagems to turn souls from the truth: a sieve to “sift” them (Luk_22:31), “devices” to trick (as in our text), “weeds” to “choke” (Mat_13:22), “wiles” to intrigue (Eph_6:11), the roaring of a lion to terrify (1Pe_5:8), the disguise of an angel to deceive (2Co_11:14) and “snares” to entangle them (2Ti_2:26).”
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
Let us live biblically!
“Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1:16
Undiluted divine condemnation will be reaped upon the head of that one who dares to mock his Maker by judging others without mercy (James 2:13).
“Believe nothing against another but on good authority; and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.” ~William Penn
A mere accusation makes nothing true. False accusations began in the Garden of Eden and have continued since then. Here’s an example of a godly man, Christ’s apostle Paul, being falsely accused, slandered by many religionists….
“And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.” Acts 25:7
There were many railers who slandered our precious Savior.
“But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses.” Matthew 26:60
“For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” Mark 14:56
“Ye Have Done it Unto Me”
There are many railers today who while claiming to be Christ’s children, slander the disciples of Jesus. Many today still slander our LORD by slandering or railing against members of His body.
The reality of false witnesses in this wicked era is established and yet, no disciple of Jesus should ever participate in the slander or railing against one of His children and if they do, they are attacking Jesus Himself who stated “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Then, the Judge of all souls declares “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:40-41)
To slander a child of God is a soul-damning sin to be dealt with no different than the fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5 where the Bible also lists other classes of damning sins, including railing. Those who rail on another simply attack or slander them. All unrepentant railers are murderers in heart and will be slain down into eternal damnation if they don’t repent before it’s too late and forsake this wickedness (1 John 3:14-15).
What kind of person does the Bible say digs up evil – reaches beneath Christ’s blood to judge a forgiven believer? – “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.” (Proverbs 16:27)
BEWARE of the witches, warlocks in our midst who would seek to use an already forgiven past sin against you (Proverbs 16:27-28).
God will forgive “ALL sins” except 1:
“Verily I say unto you, ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and (even) blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29
God will not forgive the sins of any person who refuses to forgive all others – from their heart (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26, etc.). Unforgiveness is non-negotiably, irrefutably, soul damning sin.
PITFALL WARNING
Can spreading something true about someone, something they actually did, a sin they committed, be slander in God’s eyes? YES. Just because it’s true that he or she went into sin does not warrant you spreading it. No, God wants to “COVER” it, bury it – just like He wants to forgive and cover, bury YOUR sins. NEVER unduly uncover the past sin of a member of Christ’s body! Do you remember what happened to Ham when he dared to uncover his father? (Genesis 9) If you unduly uncover – your sins will be uncovered (Matthew 7:1-5; James 2:13). Now, read this again and let it sink in that only “an ungodly man diggeth up evil” or brings someone else’s past sins back up:
“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.” Proverbs 16:27
Listen to this:
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall COVER the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
See also James 5:16; Matthew 18:15-17.
Cain Followed His Parents and Did Things His Own Way
DID Cain murder his brother Abel because of Abel’s sins or his own?
“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12
Those who slander (kill, murder them with words) others do so because of the wickedness that exists in their own hearts.
The true remnant disciple must refuse to participate with false brethren in soul-damning railing (1 Corinthians 5).
What kind of person does the Bible tell us gives ear or listens to a tale bearing tongue?
“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Proverbs 17:4
The LORD watches who’s tale bearing and who’s listening and holds them both accountable.
It is the height of cruelty to believe the lies of an enemy concerning someone else. Yet, that makes it essential for us to dismiss things about a person if we don’t have a personal and truth-speaking witness. One dead give away of an unscrupulous, ungodly person is that they have no concern for the person they are slandering. They have no compassion or desire to see that person restore, that is, if in fact what is being said about them is even true.
Where does this originate from? Jesus says:
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 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. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37
It is an extreme delight to our LORD and to His people when His children – imperfect in self and saved by His sheer mercy – dwell together in unity as we await the Son of God from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1
What does the Bible tell us a “true witness” does?
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” Proverbs 14:25
Did you note how this Bible verse specifically defined “a true witness” and “a deceitful witness”? Read it once more please, paying close attention.
Just like the Great Shepherd of the sheep, the “true witness”or child of God seeks to bring restoration to the fallen/backslidden. Luke 15 is all about the restorative love of Jesus and how He delights to restore those whom He has saved and have backslidden. He is “not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance” and every one of His genuine saints have this same desire (2 Peter 3:9). Those who don’t have this desire, are not His!
The word “talebearer” appears 6 times in the Bible:
“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. “Leviticus 19:16
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. “Proverbs 11:13
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 18:8
“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 26:20-22
To be a “talebearer” is simply to bear a tale – to carry it forth. It’s a tale when you are not a literal witness of it. So, such should not be repeated and the person who told you should be rebuked for this sin.
“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” Proverbs 25:9-10
Jesus taught us that if we have a problem with someone, we are to go directly to them and to no other, first and foremost (Matthew 18:15-17). Keeping things as private as possible seems like the divine will. Any person not obeying Jesus in this command is acting out of an evil heart and bearing evil tales. Christ’s disciples must not participate.
The next time someone says something negative about a certain person, interrupt them kindly, grab their hands and bow your head and say “Let’s lift that person up to the Father in Jesus’ name right now okay.”
IF you don’t know if it is true, ignore it. Set it aside and do not believe it. Don’t be surprised when lies fly about a sister or brother. Jesus promised that all who truly follow Him would be lied about and that they are “blessed” by God – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you FALSELY, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
HINT: Just because something is spoken, written, or repeated, doesn’t make it a fact.
Proverbs 17: 9 says “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that REPEATETH a matter separateth very friends.”
In this verse, did you catch the two things people can do concerning matters? In light of the fact that God is judging me according to how I judge others, I must ask myself whether or not I am covering OR repeating the matters that come into my ears concerning others. Such is a telling fruit. We know this because the Bible says in this same exact chapter “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4) Now, read that verse again and answer the following two questions:
1. What kind of a person does the Bible say “giveth heed to false lips”?
________________________________________________
2. What type person “giveth ear to a naughty tongue”?
________________________________________________
Beloved, never unduly expose others. When YOU sinned, did you want everyone to know about it or did you simply desire to repent and be restored to the LORD? Obviously the latter, right?
Apply Jesus’ golden rule and do to others as you wish for them to do for you in your time of need. This is walking in God’s love. Learn it and live His love! Study everything the Bible says about His love and beg Him to imbue your whole being with His love!
Recently I received an email from a ministry that was taking a certain preacher to task for a sin he committed many years ago. They based their cause on the hearsay of a former employee with that ministry. They seemed to drink in anything the former employee stated with not question or regard for whether he was telling the truth. They assumed he was. They seemed to assume that because that preacher was supposedly caught by sinful man in a sin years ago, that he was still committing that sin. They lost me quickly. I couldn’t finish reading that slander. I believe the Holy Spirit was grieved.
How do they know this man didn’t repent/hadn’t repented? Why do they assume such?
This doesn’t dismiss the qualifications for elders set forth in God’s Word. Yet, if sinless perfection (concerning performance) is the measure of being used of God, you and I are disqualified! For not one person could be used of God – not one – if God disqualifies us if we have sinned after He saved us. Remember the vile sin of Peter in His blatant denial of the very LORD of glory? But what did Jesus tell him? (Luke 22:31-32)
Is there no more forgiveness with the LORD?
Did the unchanging LORD of all creation and redemption somehow change?
When did God’s mercy cease? (Psalms 86:5, 15; 103:10-11)
Do you realize that God has NO respect of persons and so IF His mercy ceased toward the one you are slandering, it has also ceased to be applied to your slate? If this were the case, you are in big trouble.
Is the divine promise of 1 John 1:9 still in God’s Word?
What did Jesus tell Peter to do after he sinned? – Jesus told him to go do ministry! – “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Recently, someone asked how I had the patience to deal with the many misguided people whom we interact with. My reply was this …
The patience is in me toward others due to being brought by the LORD into the ever deepening revelation of my own infinite need for God’s daily mercy and grace ….. Ephesians 4:32 is a memory verse for all disciples. It says “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (if you name the name of Jesus, please memorize and live this verse from today forward)
Somehow we seem to forget that while Jesus was literally dying for OUR sins on that cross, He prayerfully cried to the Father “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
SOMEBODY throw your hands and heart to the Father and praise Jesus for the abundant and infinite mercy He has bestowed upon your wretched soul!
Even the great apostle of Jesus said:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24
To those who have been slandered, see Psalms 31:20 and Job 5:21.
R.A. Torrey wrote:
“The humility of Jesus Christ was manifested in His silence under false accusation. Jesus did not defend His own good name. He left that to God. He ‘committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” and God has given Him ‘the name that is above every name.’ (Phil. 2:9)” What the Bible Teaches, p. 128
Jesus didn’t throw away the thief on the cross. No, Christ knew the man lived a sinful life and yet fully, freely forgave him in his last moments on earth. That once sinful, thieving man is now and will forever be in the bliss and glory of God’s eternal abode!
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE MERCY, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I sincerely repent of anytime I have personally participated in the sinful slander of another person. I beg You to forgive me for my own vile sins in Your holy sight, through the Person and blood of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. No one on earth needs You more than I do LORD! Not one person alive needs Your blessed mercy more than this vile, undone sinner! Father, please establish me as Your servant of reconciliation, a dispenser of Your bless-ed mercy and compassion, helping others find their way back to You! Break me LORD Jesus, I beg of Thee! Put a watch before this mouth and keep the door of these lips. In Jesus’ blessed name, Amen.
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