Greetings,
If God informs us that He hates something, we should take careful note. We are told that two of the seven things God hates are: “A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). Sowing discord could be regarded as a summation of the previous six things God hates and therefore we should take special note. God hates that which sets at variance those who are closely related. We as members of the Body of Christ are closely related. The basis for the strength of feeling on God’s part is revealed by His law as it addresses relationships between people. “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin against him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16-18).
That which comes out of our mouth has the ability to cause discord if we are not very careful. God loves truth (Proverbs 12:17-22). A false witness may knowingly lie. However, it is possible to be a false witness without intended malice. Scripture informs us that the carnal, natural mind seeks its own way. It wants to be right and often self-justification and self-aggrandizement are used to achieve that end. Very common tools for self-promotion are gossip and the spreading of rumors. Do we ever ask ourselves, “How much of what I hear is true?” And, “How much of what I say or repeat is true?” Gossip is rarely completely true and just as rarely does it put others in the best light. The Cambridge On-line Dictionary defines gossip as: “conversation or reports about other people’s private lives that might be unkind, disapproving, or not true”. If what we say about another person is not 100% true, we are bearing false witness. Let us all determine not to cause discord or hurt among brethren by being a false witness. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
When we find ourselves talking about other people, we need to develop the habit of asking ourselves, “Am I loving my neighbor if I repeat this?” “… You shall not bear false witness … You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:9-10). Gossip and the passing on of rumors set up other people to have a negative attitude toward the subject of the gossip. Even if what is passed on is not entirely false, it can serve to engender doubt in the minds of others. God’s law – the expression of love toward a neighbor – will not leverage another person negatively for personal gain.
Warm regards,
Brian Orchard
