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Hmmmm…..nothing like a good piece of gossip to make us feel important or better (holier) than someone else. It builds us up (false hope), it helps take the focus off of our own sin and puts the focus on another or others (this can include sharing prayer requests for specific persons while sharing irrelevant detailed information). I’d guess there isn’t anything more damaging to a church body than gossip because it’s where division can start and give way to other sins.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19. With the exception of one on this list of sins, all are involved in gossip and as His word says; He hates and finds them detestable (disgustingly offensive).
As I see it, after we boil it all down, it comes back to the motive of the heart. Is our heart horizontally focused on us and the problems of life surrounding us? Or is it focused vertically on the things of God and His coming kingdom?
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
To be vertically focused, we are to be pleasing God by building up, not tearing down others. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:1-7.
There we have it then……...back to the sole reason we are on earth, to bring praise and glory to God Almighty, not me. Let us lift up our eyes and pray then, that the Lord would give us endurance, encouragement and a spirit of unity at NWBC and the world around us in the new year.
Vertical focus—not horizontal!!
