No Bearing False Witness; No Gossip

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 

                                                                                        (Luke 12:1-4 KJV)

Do good to others. Do no harm in  word or deed. It is too bad that there are those who would spread gossip (even if it may be partially true) to purposely put a bad light on someone's life. Gossip can destroy a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The explanation of the eighth commandment in Luther's Small Catechism reminds us that we are not to harm other; but, in all things to help them. 

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean? — Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."

We can whisper behind someone's back and think it will never get back to the one that is being gossiped about. But, I have found that in most cases the gossip is found out and inevitably causes much turmoil and stress for the target of the gossip. Gossip shared in the darkness almost always brings more darkness to both the target of the gossip and the gossiper. It may be awhile before the person being gossiped about may find out about how they have been disrespected by the gossipers; but, don't be deceived. God knows all things we say or think whether it is good or bad.

Therefore; we ought not fear those who speak behind our backs to cause us harm. Words spoken in darkness will eventually be revealed by the light. Sooner or later the closet doors will open. Sooner or later the sun will come out and the truth will be known. But, for now it is enough that God knows the truth.

Do no harm. Speak in the light of day. Speak with integrity. Speak with truth. Live in the light of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Support Those Who Are Falsely Slandered

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 

                                                                             (Prov 16:28-29 KJV)

Somewhere, somehow, we must take a stand and protect the innocent from slander. There is so much slander, so much aloneness in this world, and so much depression resulting from it. It often comes from one source: the ego or maybe it would be more accurate to say the devil who resides within us. Those in whom the Spirit of Christ does not reside often attack their neighbors; their friends; their enemies unjustly, causing much chaos, pain, and sorrow. Standing idly by because you do not want to become involved or become the next target is not all that helpful. Rather, as most of us confess on Sunday mornings, we end up sinning by what we have not done; by not supporting and helping our neighbor in need. 

We should not support sin. We do need to confront those who would entice others in a way that is not good even while we support and protect those who are falsely accused. 

We teach our children in Sunday School and in Confirmation classes that the eighth commandment; "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." We also teach them as Luther taught that this means: "We should fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, lie or gossip about our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of them and put the most charitable construction on all that they do." How soon we forget what we have learned!

May God help us to love our neighbors and not cause them to suffer any form of anguish because of our actions or inactions.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Built Upon A Solid Foundation

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” (Matt 7:24-27 NRSV)

This past year I've questioned the wisdom of the powers that be that determine construction codes. Years ago, we put a mobile home on a piece of property in Gay, Michigan; a little town on Lake Superior. To prepare the spot we used concrete runners under the mobile home so that it would not sink or shift. Our son, just put a mobile home on land in Flagler County. Here in Florida the pad that the mobile home will sit on is made of sand. There is no concrete slab or runners under the home. I am sure that the engineers and others more knowledgeable about building in Florida know what they are doing. Yes; of course, there are some really good tie downs and concrete blocks securing and leveling the house. But, when I first heard that there must be a pad of sand laid first, I was a bit confused. But; then again, we don't normally put a slab of concrete under a wood home, either. Blocks are usually used to hold it up and level it and that has worked for a very long time. 

So, houses are normally built on something solid; like concrete slabs or blocks. There has to be a sturdy base to keep the home from crumbling down. Likewise; our faith must be built on something solid. The foundation of our faith is the truth, who is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone that holds the house of God together. If the house of God, if the church, is built on anything less than Jesus; if it is built on egos or greed or upon our own self-righteousness; then it will surely fall.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians:  "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God." (Eph 2:19-22)

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Anger And Malice!

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Eph 4:29-31 NIV)

As Lutherans, we learn at a young age what the eighth commandment means according to our Small Catechism:

   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

   What does this mean?--Answer.
   We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our
   neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on
   everything.

Whether in government, business, the church or even our families it is way too common for unwholesome talk to be the way in which many choose to go. This unwholesome talk, this yelling at or about someone, this disrespecting others' way thinking or being only brings about division and harm. We witnessed a very good example of that yesterday on the ball field where Republican Congressmen were practicing for a game with the Democrats. Five people shot and wounded; with the shooter ending up dead. So much grief for so many. There are peaceful ways to discuss and settle differences. We also need to understand that we don't always get our way. Sometimes, there needs to be compromise. Sometimes, we just need to accept the fact that someone else is in charge for now. It also wouldn't hurt if we reminded ourselves that it is God who is actually in charge and He does have a good plan whether we like the plan or not.

Peaceful protests can be a good thing. But, speeches and protests that incite damage to others or their property or promote the murder of people whom we don't agree with is very wrong. This hatred toward others will only bring about more hatred. It will only bring about more division. It will only bring about more death. If, we as a country, do not change some of our ways we may find that we have steered ourselves into a civil war. Do we really want that for our children and grandchildren? This hate-filled speech that we keep hearing is not helpful nor is the drama that comes with it. It is most harmful. Gossip (and I have been the subject of that on more than one occasion) will only cause more problems for both the one who slanders and the one who is slandered as well as the many people around them.

Scripture tells us that we are to lift others up according to their needs. We are to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. I grant you that this can be tough to do at times. If you find yourself ready to participate in bringing about more division with unwholesome talk, maybe take a time out for yourself? Talk to God? You might find that distancing yourself from the situation (maybe shutting the news off) for a time will help bring you back to a place where you can focus on God's will rather than your own. His will is a good will for you and all people.

I realize that there will always be trouble in this world; but, why do we have to add to it? "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, alone with every form of malice." Do what is right! Speak the truth; but, speak it in love and not anger! Live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J