The devil knows exactly how to use gossip and rumors and well-placed misinformation to destroy people. So? What is the nature of rumors?

Normally the source is “anonymous” or is attached to the name of a notorious gossip. Here is a perfectly slimy example of a devious slanderer at work!

“It has been reported among the heathen…” Nehemiah 6:6.

Today it sounds this way: “people are saying…”

“And Gashmu said …” (I’ve got a feeling he was a vicious gossip.)

Who are the “nameless people” that are saying things about others to you? If they have a name I’ll listen to it. Otherwise it’s probably just a cowardly way of making your point, using others.

“But, I can’t break their confidence!” Well if it was in confidence, you shouldn’t be telling me anything of it anyway.

It’s not too hard to find the person in the office, a political organization or a church who has “trashcan” ears and mouths that whisper twisted facts or private details. They are the gossip, the mudslinger who LOVES being a know-it-all or LOVES seeing those that might threaten their security “Squirm” when they get the news of being slandered.

What to do about it?

The next time somebody brings a complaint to you that’s really for someone else, direct them to go to that person or bring them with you to that person!! FACE TO FACE!

Rumors are almost always anonymous. I get a lot of anonymous mail, and I pay it no attention. Rumors are almost always an attack on motives. Evil men attacked Nehemiah’s motives, (like they ACTUALLY know his heart! Uh huh….)

“I can see right thru you!” Nothing hurts quite as badly as doing something with a pure motive and being attacked as doing it for the wrong reasons.

Slander is usually an attack on someone trying to accomplish something. So, the only way to avoid it is to do nothing and be nothing. But, wherever there’s friction there’s movement, and some will be rubbed the wrong way. I want to be a motivator, a person who lovingly challenges and a peacemaker. I don’t want to intentionally hurt feelings, and try hard to avoid that, but not at the expense of accomplishing the requests that the Lord has asked of my life.

When Jesus answered not a word to his accusers it was because He WANTED to be held guilty in our place. And He is our defender, but the truth is His weapon. And people of character will be able to decide for themselves what is true based on the character of those involved.

LET THAT SINK IN.

Don’t delve into the mudslinging or a back and forth justification. Just a simple statement of the truth. And! Take it to God when you are slandered.

“God, be my defender, keep me strong and focused on what I’m supposed to be doing.”

All that matters is what God knows. It is becoming increasingly risky to preach the plain truth, because as all of our messages becomes less and less politically correct, the chances go up that we’ll be big news someday for our ‘off the wall’ stands we take. When and if that day comes, may we be ready to bear that shame as a badge of honor for the Lord, and just leave it all with Him and stay focused, realizing we are trying to please Him, not them.

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant,” Galatians 1:10.

 

~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others in all generations and careers or vocations to live and express excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She is a sought after keynote inspirational and humorous speaker and teacher throughout the United States internationally in Ministers conferences, International Spiritual leaders Conferences, and in National and International training seminars for various organizations.