Thought for the Day

Slanderers or talebearers spread lies, and then gossipers treat their words as "dainty morsels." However, their victims can be severely wounded from these verbal assaults. Their words are like wood added to a fire. When a fire lacks fuel, it dies out; and when this sort of talk is rebuked or dismissed, contention ceases. "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease" (Proverbs 22:10). Businesses and churches could avoid many problems by heeding this advice. Of course, before the parties are dismissed, they should first be approached by their superiors and warned to repent, if they have been caught lying or gossiping. If they continue to do so, a supervisor should follow through with disciplinary action. Such action should always be administered with just cause and never based on personality differences.

Some Christians are deceived into believing that in the name of love, we should continue to put up with people who are troublemakers. The Lord gave instructions about dealing with those who sin against others in the church in Matthew 18:15-17. His thoughts are also echoed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:11 which says, "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." The first action is to try to win them by going to them alone and lovingly speak the truth to them. If they refuse to hear, we are to take two or three witnesses and confront them again. If they still refuse to listen, then their sin is to be made known to the whole church (the pastor should be involved at this point of the process). If they still refuse to repent, the church should no longer offer them fellowship. Slander and gossip are among the sins that should be dealt with in this manner.

Although God is very merciful and patient, at some point, if we continue to disobey Him in our personal walk, He must deal with us in a stronger manner to prevent a greater evil from coming upon us. He will deal with the one who is a bad influence on of the rest of His children, and may cut off that individual from the congregation for the purpose of sparing the whole. He does this for the good of the entire church. "For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Romans 11:21-22).