On the Internet, people can say anything about anybody. Sadly, and to our shame, this is often true even in Christian circles.
From time to time we receive comments about professing Christians which, were I to publish them, would subject me to a lawsuit for slander. I do not doubt that many such writers and commentators are sincere in their desire to see the Lord’s Bride be a pure Church “without spot or wrinkle.” However, this will never justify us publicizing things about others which may not be true and of which even the commenter has no personal knowledge – especially where it concerns a person’s character. I ask my commenting friends to examine themselves and ask: who called them to remove the spots and wrinkles?
I agree that the Lord’s command not to judge lest we be judged has been perverted at times and even used as a cloak for sin. Nevertheless, this does not invalidate His command or other Biblical counsel about judging righteous judgment, and not judging others before we hear what they have to say.
For these reasons, I do not wish to publish comments which slander other Christians, hold them up to contempt or allege ungodly deeds on their part, particularly on hearsay evidence. It is not right. If you wish to make such assertions you are free to do so on your own blog. But considering the words of Christ, do it at your own risk.
Well said, sir!
Matthew 15:1-20 and the book of James are for me as much as for any Pharisee. The Lord has been speaking to me a lot lately about the way I comment about other people. Usually, He says, “Don’t! Let love cover over a multitude of sins. Say nothing.” I have asked God to put a guard on my tongue, and He has been gracious to do so, but sometimes I find that I disobey Him and speak in spite of His command. Unless the Lord directs me to speak negatively about someone else–a very rare occurrence—He’s made it clear that my comments usually come from my own sinful insecurity (a need to feel knowledgeable or superior, arising from pride and lack of faith) rather than from a true desire for that person’s sanctification or for the benefit of the Church. It’s even worse if I “share” a prayer which is really gossip, like yeast in a lump of dough that was meant to remain unleavened. If I honestly desire that person’s sanctification, I should not uncover his/her nakedness, as it were. How effective could my prayers be under those circumstances? The thought of my own nakedness should be enough to seal my lips. I should immediately “drop and give Him twenty”: hit my knees, really or figuratively, for at least twenty seconds of fervent prayer for God’s kindness and mercy to cover that person, without telling God how to do His job. Twenty seconds of prayer isn’t very difficult. But it’s so much more fun and soul-satisfying to make certain that everyone else has a right to my opinion, even if it was conceived in darkness. Ugh! Help, Holy Spirit. Let mercy triumph over judgment.
I encourage everyone to read “The Weight of Your Words:Measuring the Impact of What You Say” by Joseph Stowell. (Amazon — http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Your-Words-Measuring-Impact/dp/0802490158) It is a remarkably readable but logical and complete discussion of both the damage and the blessings that can be conferred by our words.
Stowell’s writing is on par with Jonathan Edwards in its insights and complete and compelling arguments, but without the challenge of early English forms.
A blessing for everyone desiring to become more Christ-like in our daily living.
Grace and peace,
Joni Buttke