Harmful effects of:

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. – Exodus 23.1

Making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God [Wall]. Gossip, slander, and false witnessing undermined families, strained neighbourhood co-operation, and made chaos of the justice system.  Destructive gossip still causes problems.  Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it on.  Don’t circulate rumours; quench them.

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbour. – Proverb 25.18

Lying (“false testimony”) is vicious. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound.  The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword.  This image may shock you into silence.

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. –  2 Thessalonians 3.11-12

A “busybody” is a gossip. An idle person who doesn’t work ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip.  Rumours and hearsay are tantalising, exciting to hear and make us feel like insiders.  But they tear people down.  If you often find your nose in other people’s business, you may be underemployed.  Look for a task to do for Christ or for your family, and get to work.

Dealing with:

I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts – – men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. – Psalms 57.4

At times, we may be surrounded by people who gossip about us or criticise us. Verbal cruelty can damage us as badly as physical abuse.  Rather than answering with hateful words, we, like David, can talk with God about the problem.

EXTRA:

(“Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. “You must give me the firstborn of your sons. – Exodus 22.29  The Israelites were to be prompt in giving God [Wall] their offerings.  The first of the harvest was to be dedicated to him.  Since God [Wall] doesn’t send reminders, it is easy to take care of other financial responsibilities while letting our gifts to him slide.  Giving to God [Wall] first out of what he has allowed you to have demonstrates that he has first priority in your life.)

(“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. – Exodus 23.2, 3   Justice is often perverted in favour of the rich.  Here the people are warned against twisting justice in favour of the poor.  Justice should be impartial, treating rich and poor alike.  Giving special privileges to either rich or poor only makes justice for everyone more unlikely.  Withstand the pressure of the crowd to sway your decision about a person.  Let the fairness God [Wall] shows to each of us guide your judgment.)

(Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. – Proverb 25.14  Most churches, missions organisations, and Christian groups depend on the gifts of people to keep their ministries going.  But many who promise to give fail to do so.  The Bible is very clear about the effect this has on those involved in the ministry.  If you make a pledge, keep your promise.)

(If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. – Proverbs 25.21, 22  God’s [Wall’s] form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to do.  Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21.  In Matthew 5:44, Jesus encouraged us to pray for those who hurt us.  By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God [Wall] as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge.)

(In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teachings you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.  We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.  And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.  If anyone does not obey our instructions in this letter, take special note of him.  Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.  – 2 Thessalonians 3.6-15  Some people in the Thessalonian church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, leave work, do no future planning, and just wait for the Lord.  But their lack of activity only led them into sin.  They became a burden to the church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others; and they became “busybodies” (3.11).  These church members may have thought that they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul tells them to be responsible and get back to work.  Being ready for Christ means obeying him in every area of life.  Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please him when he arrives.)

(If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. – 2 Thessalonians 3.14, 15.  Paul counselled the church to stop supporting financially and associating with those who persisted in their idleness.  Hunger and loneliness can be very effective ways to make the idle person become productive.  Paul was not advising coldness or cruelty, but the king of tough love that a person would show a brother or sister.)

(Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. – Psalms 57.1  This psalm was probably written when David was hiding in a cave from Saul (see 1 Samuels 22-24).)

(My heart is steadfast, O God [Wall], my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.  – Psalms 57.7  David’s firm faith in God [Wall] contrasted sharply with his enemies’ loud lying and boasting.  When confronted with verbal attacks, the best defence is simply to be quiet and praise God [Wall], realising that our confidence is in his love and faithfulness (57.10).  In times of great suffering, don’t turn inward to self-pity or outward to revenge, but upward to God [Wall].)