Sun, Mar 30th - 7:11AM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE AND GOSSIPERS

Dearly beloveds we must and can avoid spiritual cowardice when facing gossipers. They do seek to instill fear; panic, dread, and terror in anyone who confronts them, as they forcefully defend, excuse, deny any wrong doing and accuse any confronters vigorously of treating them unfairly. The gossipers’ goal with these tactics is to reverse roles placing him or herself as the victim, and the confronter as well as the true victim, as the perpetrator.

Most importantly the gossipers’ main goal is to continue to avoid detection and consequences of their malicious behavior and avoid accounting for any damage they have done to their targets or victims. This is why it is so vital to seek God’s foundational truth through the Bible to guide us and help us to see things from God’s eyes, rather than mere human perspectives.

No one and nothing shall be able to stand against the word of God. The Bible shows each and every one of us up in the glaring light of the word, and discerns what is absolutely righteous or not in all our behaviors and interactions. Backed up by God’s word rightly understood, nothing can nor shall make us afraid or intimidate us to back away in cowardice from God’s absolute truth-if God said something we do is wrong- it is wrong, that is absolutely what it is and no excuse is acceptable and no exceptions can or will be made for anyone.

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: KJV.

God says stop doing these things, moreover God forbids any Christian to do these things- NO EXCEPTIONS.

1Cr 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. KJV

Here we find the railer IDENTIFIED amongst the church and as the wicked persons that God commands His people to avoid, and even to put them out of the church. Obviously this addresses those who refuse to stop gossiping. In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance a railer is defined as a person who is a railer, reviler, abusive. We can see that unrepentant gossipers have an abusive bent. God’s instructions are clear, do not eat with them; do not fellowship with them; put them out of the church. What? No aw gee, touchy feely they’re just a hurting and need love?

Love

serola

Wed, Mar 26th - 2:29AM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE AND GOSSIPERS:

Another way that the body deals with unruly people or troublemakers is to warn them once, and if they continue on after a second warning God commands us to reject them. The church as a whole is responsible for stopping the gossiper and the individual Christian has the God-given right to avoid them.

Brethren, it is clear that gossipers and troublemakers of every stripe are everywhere not just in the church, for this reason I digress to say to parents if your child becomes the target of gossipers do not simply tell them that old adage: “Sticks and stones might break my bones but names can never hurt me.” Do not think that this false belief will serve to help any child who has become the target of a gossiper(s). Parents do not think that this is just “kid stuff” that will blow over in time. Do not think that doing something will make it worse. Do not ignore the pain, agony, dishonor, and disgrace being inflicted on your child, by leaving them to handle it as best they can.

Parents take a strong stand in behalf of your child against those seeking the destruction of him or her. I am not saying physically harm anyone, but do address the adults who have (hopefully) control over the gossiper(s). What happens here determines your next steps. Stopping this mess early is the better defense against it.

Brothers and sisters God our Creator reveals the motives, and intentions of the hearts of the gossiper: 1. The gossiper seeks to cause the most damage possible to their target(s) Without bringing attention to themselves; to avoid the consequences of their maliciousness. The gossiper(s) hates the target(s) and desires to bring destruction, shame and humiliation to them.

2. The gossiper can destroy lives and cause persons to be killed, because they do inflame, provoke and encourage others to act out against their target(s). Those who aid and abet the gossiper(s) are just as guilty.

3. Vulnerable people, including children of various ages, have committed suicide to escape gossip. Conversely some targets have resorted to murder, completely disregarding consequences in order to be rid of their gossiper(s). Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that such persons receive protection and support early on-going to strengthen, fortify, prevent acting out, and encouraging a de-victimization to victor stance.

4. Anyone can be a target of the gossiper in the church from the pastor to the janitor to some elderly person or even a kid in Sunday school, this means you or me or members of our families as well. Obviously lethal retaliation or self- harm is not the answer for anyone and especially for those who are Christians; we are not to resort to harming anyone, but to serve one another in love. Nevertheless it is the work of the whole church, you and me brethren working together to stop gossipers in the church, and defend our children no matter whether they are, inside of or outside of the church.

Love

serola

Thu, Mar 20th - 9:10AM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE AND GOSSIPERS The New Covenant tells us to DIRECTLY confront or admonish one another in love, for correction, as a first step and not in punishment or condemnation. The Bible assures us that Christians and the church as a whole have the God given right to protect and guard itself from those who refuse to repent and continue on in sin by remaining gossipers.

Now, brethren, regardless of how beautiful, ugly, fat or thin, rich or poor, well dressed or threadbare, notable, or not, this is not the issue. God reveals the consistent choice of the gossiper to be fully capable of destroying people’s lives, reputations and even a church this makes them dangerous and harmful. They must not be laughed off, because this is no joking matter at all.

Brothers and sisters, the New Covenant of Grace makes it absolutely clear that slander, evil-speaking, back biting, railers, whisperers, are works of the flesh, and Christians are forbidden to be do and practice these things. Do the words that we speak matter? The answer is a resounding YES. With any study of the New Covenant of Grace let us see what our Lord Jesus tells us about our words:

Mat 12:35 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. KJV

Now Lord Jesus Christ is addressing here that the words we consistently speak reveal the true nature of our hearts and us as either good or bad persons. We will surely give account to Jesus Christ for the words we choose to consistently speak, and will be judged based upon them guilty or not guilty. So we can easily see that we absolutely have to agree with God. He makes no excuses and holds us accountable for what we choose to do with our words. 

Notice God does not drift into psycho- babble, or try to explain away people’s consistent choice of bad behavior. Look brethren, a person choosing to consistently bring others gossip is digging it out of an evil heart. The gossiper is not seeking solutions, but coming with ill will to cause as much trouble as they can for their target, and they do not care who they have to involve, inflame, or use to get their work done.

Love

serola

Thu, Mar 13th - 2:51PM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

Brethren I was meditating on the word, when I thought upon Mary and Martha. There have been countless wonderful sermons on these two, and will continue to be offered again and again to the body. Mary and Martha-what a contrast between the two. Countless Christians remind themselves and admonish, and encourage one another with the story of Mary and Martha:

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Poor Martha, over-occupied, and distracted, too busy trying to “serve” the Lord a meal. Poor Martha- had she forgotten that our Lord had fed thousands out of a handful of fishes and bread; turned many vats of water into wine? Martha just did not get it. She was upset with her sister just looking at her sitting at Jesus’ feet. What nerve, Mary ought to be made to come and help her to serve appears to be Martha’s frame of mind.

She even went to get Jesus to compel her sister to get up and come and “serve” with her. Lord Jesus refused her request, but took pity on Martha to tell her that relationship with Him is the Most important thing. This is a continuing and profound lesson from our Lord Himself. Any service that leaves out fellowship with Jesus in a love relationship between Him and us is no service at all. This does not condone inactivity or laziness at all, but points out the most important reason for doing any form of service is out of love for the Lord, and not mere service alone. God gave everyone of  us our work and the power to carry it out, sooo we should not become arrogant thinking that we accomplish any of it through human effort alone.

Strangely this profound lesson is lost on some. It is surprising to find the many Marthas still among us trying to pay God back by doing service for Him. This is called “works salvation” and goes something like this: Since God has done so much for us we ought to pay Him back by giving Him everything, since we owe Him everything. This makes salvation a business arrangement between equals-something  of value has been received and therefore must be paid back. The one receiving repayment therefore must be equally grateful to the one returning that which was given.

This is absolutely not of faith or true belief in salvation. No matter how sincerely persons believe this, it is error, and such people are not regarded as righteous in the sight of God. Those believing this error should repent and come believing the truth that salvation is a free gift not of works so that none can boast that they are saved by their own power.

Firstly because salvation is a FREE GIFT OF THE GOD WHO HAS NO EQUAL.  Salvation is  unearnable, unbuyable and unrepayable. It is FREE IN ITS ENTIRETY. Now saints (G40 hagios) if somebody gave us a gift and then asked for repayment it is not a gift but indebtedness: 

Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Those working to pay God back for their salvation show a complete lack of trust in the ABSOLUTE truthfulness God.

 Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. The free gift of salvation is to be faithfully believed, and carried out in gratitude and love in all we say and do through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brethren, let us go on and continue to sit at our Lord’s feet He has so much to share with us. Praise God for without Jesus we can do nothing: We leave the Old Covenant of the Law with the understanding that God minces no words, and pulls none of His punches concerning those who practice gossip. God is not insulting anyone, but placing this in the light of His truth. God does not condone gossipers in any shape, fashion or form. Brethren, we must fully understand that God is telling us the truth-people who gossip do so because they deliberately choose to do so. This rules out any touchy feely warm and fuzzy feelings towards them in the sense that they deserve our compassion: “‘cause these poor things just can’t help themselves”. They must be stopped to prevent them from wrecking lives in the church and even their own.

Love

serola

Mon, Mar 10th - 7:13AM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

Under the Old Covenant of the Law, we can see that God forbids the practice of gossip. God regards the gossiper as so dangerous that they can even get people killed. God instructs here that two things must be done regarding the gossiper: 1. Do not fellowship with a gossiper. They are malicious and will cause you great damage by putting your private business out to others. 2. To stop the gossiper, they must be put out, in this way the great and damaging strife that they stir up and cause between people will be brought to a screeching halt.

We can certainly take note that when you tell your business to a gossiper she or he will broadcast it to countless others in a malicious and harmful way that will come back to bite you. When you talk to a gossiper-you are talking to a whole lot of other folks too!!!

Those who understand the Law, are not surprised at its harshness. Interestingly God gives the gossiper  the opportunity for mercy by giving ample examples of how to use the tongue in a godly way that is helpful to people and pleasing to God. We can all benefit from the great lessons God gives on the good ways to communicate to avoid offending God and causing problems and bringing calamity to others.

God is His word. His word is living and active. Brothers and sisters-LOOK, LOOK, LOOK!

Hbr 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

The analysis of God our Creator is ALWAYS  100% accurate of the gossiper and indeed every creature. Therefore we must not put ourselves in danger of ignoring the whole counsel of God. Now there are always some who think incorrectly that the gossiper is just a “broken and hurting” person, who just needs to talk to a spiritual and/or psychological guru to work out their pain. Ain’t no guru made that can help with this; therefore those who ignore God’s counsel about gossipers will be caused a great deal of pain by them. God gives us the penultimate guidance on how we should live and deal safely by His word. We can fully trust God who gives us His views from His word and never our own.

Love

serola

Fri, Mar 7th - 3:08AM

GOSSIPERS IN THE CHURCH

Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. KJV.

The gossiper is slick. They know how to use flattery to get deep inside the boundaries of others for the very purpose of telling and gaining the secrets of others. Here the Old Covenant of the Law instructs, do not fellowship with talebearers, or give them intimate details of your life, leave them alone, because they will broadcast your business and those of others all about while using flattery and pretending that they like or care about you or others.

The gossiper will only cause you trouble. There are details of our lives that we would not like to have publicly revealed. This is not because we are ashamed, but that it is no one’s business but our own (BETWEEN US AND GOD) and each of us is entitled to personal privacy. Well if we mess with gossipers they will put our private business out there as well as those of others and will distort it at that in a malicious way.

God instructs us to not allow the gossipers ability to flatter or lull us to carelessly reveal our personal business. Do not allow them to come to you revealing the secrets of others.

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. KJV

The talebearer is the source of strife, and contention between others. God instructs: Get rid of the talebearer to end all strife.

Pro 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. KJV. 

 Here the scriptures repeat it. The talebearer is absolutely not harmless. They can wound with words just as deadly as a weapon. The talebearer is harmful and injurious to others as he or she chooses to present others in a fault-finding and often malicious light. It takes God to reveal and understand the true nature of a person and thing. Brothers and sisters we see that our Lord is painting a pretty ugly picture of the nature and character of those who choose to practice gossiping.

Love

Serola