Wisdom and discernment – What do we say?
All of us would be wiser if we would resolve never to put people down, except on our prayer lists. D.A.Carson
In yesterday’s devotional, we used one of Aesop’s fables, The Eagle, the Cat and the Wild Sow, to talk about our response to rumours and gossip spread by others. However, we are all prone to talking negatively about others. We live in a broken world, and we often give in to our fallen nature.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, is very harsh in his indictment of gossipers and slanderers. He counts gossip and slander with all manner of unrighteousness (Romans 1:29-32). Gossiping can be seen as a betrayal of trust when we share confidential information with others. (Proverbs 11:13). This will inevitably have consequences. Sometimes, serious consequences for all parties involved. Slandering is also a form of gossip where false accusations are wilfully spread about someone, causing incalculable harm. Gossip, rumours, and slander can cause families to fall apart. It can cause the loss of friendships, jobs and finances. It can even cause fractures in churches. And let us not forget the emotional harm attached to this. The harm done can cause victims to feel they have been usurped of their self-worth, dignity and even their reputation. It can even cause them to isolate themselves.
Suffice it to say that spreading rumours, gossiping or slandering others never bodes any good. So what do we do to prevent doing this? Perhaps when we are tempted to gossip about others, we should consider taking a step back and examining our hearts. We can ask ourselves, “Why is it important to talk about this? What are my motives? Am I willing to bring unnecessary disharmony into situations? What are the implications?” I have found in my own life that it’s not easy to be introspective and refrain from speaking negatively about others. I need the help of Holy Spirit to convict me so that I’m aware of how pointless it is to gossip and to see that gossiping only feeds my own selfish ego and pride.
Set a Guard Over My Mouth
I find the prayer that David prayed in Psalm 141:3 (ESV) helpful. It says, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
We can set a guard over our mouths when we trust God’s wisdom and discernment to lead us and empower us through His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. The Spirit of truth, John 14:17 says, lives within us. When we are sensitive to Holy Spirit, we produce the fruit of the Spirit - patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control, which helps us refrain from gossip and slander. I would like to challenge us to consider whether we are activating the fruit of the Spirit when we are tempted to engage in gossip or slander. Operating in the fruit of the Spirit is a testimony of God’s power at work in our lives, a testimony of God’s love in action.
Gossip can feel good in multiple ways. But it is of the flesh, not of the Spirit. Ray Ortlund
Reflection
Will you allow Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in you so that Christ can be glorified in your speech and actions? When you do, He will set a guard over your mouth.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving me Your Spirit of truth. Help me to be sensitive to Holy Spirit so that I can produce the fruit of the Spirit that will help me refrain from gossip and slander when I am tempted to do so. Help me to be a testimony of Your love to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
