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Gossip, Backbiting, and Slander

daytonstreetpreach

Before we begin Side Note: True Christians have unity and fellowship in the Spirit even though they might not agree on every single non-salvational issue. Everyone is growing in knowledge so we need to tolerate some differences as we all grow into the head which is Christ. The question is do you love your brother or do you slander him?)


Psalms 34:21 says, “Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” (Desolate - No Inhabitants)


If you are a true saint fighting in God’s army then you have many enemies. Jesus said you will be hated by all, even the whole world. Just like in His day, some of our biggest enemies include religious people. The bible teaches that those who are in the flesh will persecute those who are in the Spirit. These people are deceivers and seducers, who beguile unstable souls, trying to poison their minds against the true saints. Pride and envy has blinded their eyes. They do not love the true brethren! So why do they do this? I think Paul said it best. Acts 20:29-30 “29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” These men are out to build there own ministry. They want to tear down the credibility of God’s chosen people and build up their own ministry. They refuse to submit to the body of Christ. They use manipulation and fleshly tactics to lead people away from the true move of God. They speak evil of church leadership and authority. You have to learn to identify these people and steer clear of them. Because those who are joined to them will suffer greatly, if not be completely destroyed with them. Today, we will be learning the harsh consequences of slander and backbiting and how to stay safely away from it.  


Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. (You better fear God!!!) 

Define froward - perverse, not willing to yield to what is required; ungovernable, Disobedient. 

 

Do not be a Talebearer Leviticus 19:15 15Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. 16Thou 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. 17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. ( Stand against the blood of thy neighbor means to “not render help” when his life is in danger or take up for him when he is being wronged in some way. You are supposed to love him as yourself. Do not allow sin upon our neighbor. Take Heed!)

Define Talebearer - : one that spreads gossip or rumors; tattletail 

If you expose somebody you better be sure God is telling you to do that. All because it’s true doesn’t mean that God wants us to blast it all over the internet. This is a good way to be plagued or destroyed and cut off by God. Beware of “ministries” that just expose and talk about other ministries all the time. Don’t listen to them listen to them lest you share in their sins. We should be focused on the mission, not on publishing everything about everybody all the time. Don’t be a gossip and a slanderer. Keep your eyes on Jesus!!! 

Define gossip -1. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others 2. One who runs from house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler.

Where does it say you will be cut off? Psalms 101:5-8 5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. 

Define Slander - 1. A false tale or report maliciously uttered. and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens, defamation. (These people have no low. Ran by hurt, bitterness, and unforgiveness they will slander you about anything. They will do anything to try to make you look bad. Watch out, God is gonna judge and punish these people quickly. 


Don’t believe an accusation against an elder 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. ( How many witnesses came and testified against Jesus? It takes two or three faithful witnesses before I will even look into and judge a matter. Always give the man of God the benefit of the doubt, even when being accused. You need to hear it straight from the horses mouth. We know the devil always attacks leadership because he knows there is no true unity or power without submission to God ordained leadership. Leadership brings order and structure so the body can function orderly. Lastly, consider the overall history of the accused person and weigh the evidence against him carefully. It must show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It must be compelling evidence. When in doubt stay out! Never believe a sinner over a saint!)


Don’t be hated by God! Proverbs 6:16 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Fear God and stay far away from these things. Vengeance is God’s. We just need to make sure we are not connected to people doing this when the hammer falls. Remember, the people doing these things are deceived and will be judged. Let us never react out of emotion but always seek the Lord in prayer, weighing our options in all gravity. Be wise with your actions and words! Be blameless! )


All because it is true doesn’t mean we should say it! Proverbs 16:27-28 27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. ( Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.


The Devil is good at separating the people of God. We, the people of God, need to recognize the devil's schemes and fight for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Trust your friend and always give them the benefit of the doubt. When there is a question about something said, ask the person. Let everything be in the light. Stay out of drama and backbiting, separating from those who partake in it. )


You will be rewarded for your words either good or bad Proverbs 13:2-3 2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.


Paul feared this would happen 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and thatI shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (These things are works of the flesh! Let’s define some things. These terms.) 

Define Debate - 1. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for elucidating truth; strife in argument or reasoning, between persons of different opinions, each endeavoring to prove his own opinion right, and that of his opposer wrong; (Beware getting in the back in forth with someone. Especially on a public forum. Be willing to be judged on all that you say. Make sure your in the spirit and not just reacting in the flesh. I’m not saying there is never a time to publicly rebuke, but it is the exception rather than the rule.  )

Define Envying - Feeling uneasiness at the superior condition and happiness of another.

Define Wrath Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; as the wrath of Achilles.

Define Strife - 1. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.

Define BACKBITING, noun The act of slandering the absent; secret calumny. 

Define WHISPERING, noun The act of speaking with a low voice; the telling of tales, and exciting of suspicions; a backbiting.

Define Swellings A rising or enlargement by passion; as the swellings of anger, grief or pride.

Define TUMULT, verb intransitive To make a tumult; to be in great commotion. 2. Bustle; Stir

Your tongue steers the direction of your whole life James 3:3-18 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Don’t take the bait - The devil lures through the lust of the flesh. On the internet it is called click bait. I want you to be mature enough to identify and have the power and fortitude to not click. 


Stay away from these types of people Proverbs 4:14-19 14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.


Proverbs 4:24-26 24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.


How to respond to slander and reviling  

When reviled Christ did not revile back 1 Peter 2:21-23 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 


Suffering for doing what right while being attacked 1 Peter 3:8-17 8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, becourteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 


What to do when someone is slandering and reviling you   (Most of the time you will ignore them and pray for them. The times paul called people out is when is was deceiving the church into false teachings. We are contending for the faith, not our names. We stay blameless to protect the integrity of the message we preach. Those who live in sin give occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme.) 


Biblical truths for Wisdom

Be Aware! Your mouth speaks what’s in your heart! Matthew 12:33-36 33Either 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. 34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35A 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. 36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (This should put trembling in you!)

Proverbs 10:18-21 18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. 20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. ( Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Don’t listen to foolish teachers on social media. Don’t sow to the flesh.


Don't be snared with the Words of thy mouth Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

James 4:11-12 11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

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