Whenever we hear or see someone else's misfortune, it's time to pray and not say.
For the entire month of August Powerzone ministries will be diving deep into the topic of temptation. What exactly is temptation? We'll be exploring what it means and what the Bible has to say about it all Month long!
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).
August 10, 2023 By Dr. George Bing
There is a temptation to look at others' unfortunate circumstances and feel ashamed, but it's good gossip. Whenever we hear or see someone else's misfortune, it's time to pray and not say. A dear old friend and sister taught me that! I venture to say that many people gather information just to have something to talk about. Yes, this is gossip, and the Bible says, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31).
You may not realize it, but when you speak of others' misfortune and continually spread it, this opens the door for malice. Gossip is bad enough, but now there is an evil intent there, whether you are aware of it or not. I pose a question for those reading this: If it were your child, mother, father, or anyone dear to you, would you speak about it in the same way? Would you be mindful of who you shared it with and how you presented it to the person or people you chose to share the information with? The Apostle James (our Lord Jesus's brother) says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).
The average person will follow this principle when something derogatory about someone dear to them is the main subject. The wise writer King Solomon says, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (Proverbs 18:8). Gossip tastes so good going down, and that's why people love doing it. We must always remember the adage, "A dog that will bring a bone will carry one." In layman's terms, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). What are your thoughts?
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