A WORD FOR THE DAY 10/2/2024

Gossip But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Matthew 9:4  I knew someone who was a gossip. She huddled over the phone for hours every day, talking with her friends. If I happened to walk into the same room, she would drop her voice to a whisper so I couldn't hear the conversation. One of the favorite methods of a skilled gossip is to assign motive. What does it mean to assign motive? This can be explained with one simple example: "they did this because..." Whenever I hear that phrase, huge red flags start waving. We see it a lot during an election year. "He did this because..." and, "She did this because..." I think it's safe to say that whatever vicious statement follows that phrase: is not the truth! God says that He is the only one who knows what truly goes on in the heart of a person. Only God knows the motives of the heart: For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 There's a really big problem with gossips: once they make something up, they actually believe it. And they continue to spread it. Eventually they live in their own dark fantasy world, not knowing what is truth and what isn't. And may You repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart— for You alone know the hearts of all men— so that they may fear You all the days they live. 1 Kings 8:39    Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. Proverbs 17:4-5