T.H.I.N.K about these things

T.H.I.N.K

Alan Redpath, a well-known preacher, belonged to a fellowship group a few years ago where they adopted a simple formula relating to their speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial. This is how their formula went, and it used the acronym "T.H.I.N.K." as it's focal word.

T - Is it true? Is the information I am passing on definitely True?
H - Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N - Is it necessary?
K - Is it kind?

Their small group agreed that if what they were about to say did not pass those tests, they would keep their mouths shut! And it worked! 

1 Peter 3:10 - For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

Living in Grace

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When the words can't be taken back.

Following on with our theme of gossip and slander, I came across this powerful story which highlights the impact of gossip. It certainly has made me stop and think more before I speak. Enjoy.

    "Yiddish folklore offers a telling tale about gossip-makers. One such man had told so many malicious     untruths about the local rabbi that, overcome by remorse, he begged the rabbi to forgive him. 

"Rabbi, tell me how I can make amends." 

The rabbi sighed, "Take two pillows, go to the public square and there cut the pillows open. Wave them in the air. Then come back." 

The rumormonger quickly went home, got two pillows and a knife, hastened to the square, cut the pillows open, waved them in the air and hastened back to the rabbi's chambers. 

"I did just what you said, Rabbi!" 

"Good." The rabbi smiled. "Now, to realize how much harm is done by gossip, go back to the square..." 

"And?" 

"And collect all your feathers." 

    Colossians 3:8 - “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice,         slander, and filthy language…” 

Thought: I think the lesson in this story is obvious. Now, we are asked to put it into practice.

Living in Grace

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The slanderer and the assassin

Tyron Edwards - “The slanderer and the assassin differ only in the weapon they use; with the one it is the dagger, with the other the tongue. The former is worse that the latter, for the last only kills the body, while the other murders the reputation.”

These words are really challenging for us to read, but they reveal the real damage that slander can do to someone's reputation. It is for this reason that James wrote:

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" -James 4:11-12

Jesus also knew that our hearts are dangerous organs - they can give us so much life, but they can also cause a lot of harm. He said: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” - Matthew 15:19. 

As much as it was a problem in the early church, it is still a problem today. How can we avoid slander happening in our circle of influence?

Living in Grace

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Talk of the town

"Everyone sees it. God’s work is the talk of the town.

Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good-hearted people, make praise your habit." - Psalm 64:9-10 (The Message)

When you are the talk of the town, people will be speaking about your life everywhere you go. This can be in the case of good things, as well as negative circumstances. Nowadays, we would probably say that you have 'gone viral' or that your name is 'trending' on social media. Either way, it is when a lot of attention is placed on what is going on in your life. Your actions are the talk of the community.

Eugene Peterson's reflection on Psalm 64 teaches us that when God responds to the evil-doers there will be much excitement and people will be glad that justice is done. We are then encouraged to 'fly to God' knowing that he has heard our prayers and that he does respond to our cries for help.

"The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!" (v.10)

Living in Grace

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Cruel words

Words have the frightening ability to change people's lives - for better and for worse. The power of the tongue is great and we should all heed how we use our own words. As these words from Proverbs remind us:

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24

It seems that David's opponents were using the cruelty of their tongues to fearlessly attack him and his good name. It was as if he was coming under some form of physical attack. 

"They sharpen their tongues like swords,
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. 

They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear." - Psalm 64:3-4

How can we use our words to bring life and not death?

Living in Grace

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Rumour has it....

There is one thing I cannot fathom and that is why people intentionally create Fake News. I think you have to be a little egotistical (or crazy) to want to gain a measure of 'fame' from posting misleading stories and gossip that ends up doing a lot of harm. I know that 'bad news' sells and draws attention to the creator of these stories, but in the fragile days we find ourselves in, it is very sad to see how people like to cause trouble.

But, then again, nothing is really new, is it?!

"A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." - Proverbs 16:27-28

If you read this in the New Living Translation it says:

"Scoundrels hunt for scandal; their words are a destructive blaze.
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends."

It takes a lot of restraint and self-discipline to make sure that all articles we read and stories we post are as legitimate as possible, but it is always worthwhile erring on the side of caution.

“How would your life be different if…You walked away from gossip and verbal defamation? Let today be the day…You speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.”
― Steve Marabol

“None of it was true but rumors are like germs. They spread and multiply almost in a breath and before you know it, everyone is contaminated.”- C.J. Tudor, The Chalk Man

Living in Grace
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Holding my tongue

"A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence." - Proverbs 11:13

Living in 2020 it is quite hard to keep things in confidence. Just one slip of the tongue or keyboard and rumours can spread very quickly. Although people in Solomon's day didn't have to be concerned about their social media presence, they were still impacted by gossips and people who loved to spread fake news. 

As Christ-followers we are just as tempted to speak out of turn, but it is wise of us to prove trustworthy and not to be rash with our words. Jesus gives us the best example of this when he remains silent, even in the face of his accusers.

Proverbs 26:20 - "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down."

 

“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates  

 

“Isn't it kind of silly to think that tearing someone else down builds you up?” ― Sean Covey 

 

Living in Grace

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Talking behind your back

"Don't worry about those who talk behind your back, they're behind you for a reason." - Unknown

We have all been victims of this before - people speaking behind our backs and not in a nice way. Dare I say, we have probably done the same thing. It is hard to accept when people do it to us, so we should learn to 'hold our tongues' when the opportunity arises to speak about others.

Gossip can destroy relationships, families, schools, churches. I guess Solomon had to endure his fair share of this, as he wrote a lot about it. See what he says in this verse:

Proverbs 20:19 - A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

 

Jesus experienced this so many times and his attitude was always one of forgiveness. Perhaps you and I should learn to forgive those who "gossip" about us?

 

Living in Grace

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Naive?

Maybe it is a little naive in today's day and age, but there is something in this Rudyard Kipling quote that makes sense to me.

"I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble." - Rudyard Kipling

How often have we believed a slice of "news" (that hasn't been true) and it has made us judge someone without knowing all the facts? This kind of thing can ruin relationships and even churches. It takes a "bigger" person to rather believe the best in someone until it can be proved otherwise.

Proverbs 16:28 - A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Living in Grace
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Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/rudyard_kipling

Put a lid on it!

This morning I went to put some spread on a slice of bread and I nearly dropped the bottle. One of the kids had kindly not put the lid on properly, but after a little juggling I managed to save the spread.

We have all used the saying "put a lid on it" before. It implies that we want someone to stop talking or just to be quiet! It can also mean that we need to suppress some gossip or to clamp down on some unsavoury things that are starting to get out of hand.

I suppose one could also use it in the context of cooking. Putting a lid on a pot can help prevent things from boiling over or hot oil splashing onto your hands. If you use a Weber to braai your meat, then putting the lid on the Weber helps to keep the flames from getting out of hand.

So, are there things in your life that are threatening to get out of hand?
What things are potentially boiling over in your personal life?
Is it time to put a lid on some of these issues and to ask God to calm the situation?

Proverbs 25:28 - Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

2 Peter 1: 5-7 -   For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Living in Grace
D3LM3