Wisdom and Discernment – What Do We Believe?
If there were no gratified hearers of ill reports, there would be an end of the trade of spreading them. C.H. Spurgeon
Yesterday, we talked about Aesop’s fables and how he used interactions between animals to convey moral truths and the importance of using wisdom as we navigate life. One of these stories, The Eagle, the Cat and the Wild Sow, related below, illustrates how easily we can fall into the trap of believing rumours and gossip about others.
An eagle made her nest at the top of a lofty oak; a Cat moved into the middle of the trunk; and a Wild Sow, with her young, took shelter in a hollow at its foot. The Cat cunningly resolved to destroy this colony. To carry out her design, she climbed to the nest of the Eagle, and said, “Destruction is coming upon you, and me too. The Wild Sow, whom you see daily digging up the earth, wishes to uproot the oak, so she may seize our families as food for her young when the oak falls.” The Eagle was frightened out of her senses. The cat then crept down to the cave of the Sow and said, “Your children are in great danger; for as soon as you go out with your litter to find food, the Eagle is prepared to pounce upon one of your little pigs.” Having instilled fear into the Sow, she went and pretended to hide herself in the hollow of the tree, pretending to be afraid. Meanwhile, the Eagle, full of fear of the Sow, sat still on the branches, and the Sow, terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go out from her cave. And so both, along with their families, perished from hunger, which afforded ample provision for the Cat and her kittens.
In this unlikely community, all three families had found their place in their world and were settled and comfortable. But the pseudo-peace in their midst was shattered by the cat’s hidden agenda. He spread ugly rumours about one to the other. He deceived and manipulated them using a cunning strategy: divide and conquer.
Discerning The Truth
We have all had experiences with rumours and gossip in some shape or form in our lives. We’ve either heard gossip from others, been the target of gossip, or we, ourselves, have been the source of gossip. When we hear gossip from others, we have a choice to either take it at face value and believe them, or we could say, “Hang on a minute. Is this really true? Could it be that the proverbial gnat is being magnified to the size of a camel?” The Bible says it is foolish to believe everything we hear from others without verifying the truth. Proverbs 15:14 (NIV) says,
“The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given access to His wisdom, discernment and insight. Proverbs 2:2-4 urges us to turn our ears to wisdom, to apply our hearts to understanding, and to cry out for insight. We are to search for them like hidden treasure. When we ask God for His wisdom, He will help us gain insight about what we hear from others. Divine insight will help us discern the motives of those spreading gossip. It will help us discern the truth so that we respond in a way that will honour the Lord. When we do, we allow His peace and the fragrance of His love to permeate the atmosphere.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (ESV)
Reflection
Take time to think about how you respond when someone gossips about others. Do you immediately believe that what they say is true, or do you pray for God’s wisdom and discernment?
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that You are the source of true wisdom and discernment. I pray for Your wisdom and discernment when I hear rumours or gossip about others. Help me not to join in the gossip, but to respond in a way that will honour You. Help me bring Your peace into situations where there is discord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
