THE EVIL EYE OF GOSSIP Part 1 (Keeping one finger on my mouth today)

This is the 56 letter:  

Text for the day: Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (New International Version)

Our Theme for the day: the evil eye of Gossip
(Keeping one finger on my mouth today)

Just imagine if a microphone was put in a free room in your church or may be under every table in every restaurant, every doorway, and every stairwell on earth. Then we collected all the stories over a month and categorized them, I wonder what would these stories be about wouldn’t you? Probably coming to the top of all stories would be the government systems of the world. Next would be crime and those who keep law. Third on the list would be the leaders of the church. You may laugh at this, but there was actually something done like this a few years back, in a research firm. With so many things needing our help and support, have you ever wonder why people would stop and tell stories or gossip about other people? We can exclude malignant gossip because that’s a fairly small category. Most people tell story’s of someone not to harm them, but it does when it gets back to them. Those who research people that tell stories about other people have found that they lack motivation and they are not reliable. You may ask, what is the definition of a talebearer? One who officiously tells tales; one who impertinently or maliciously communicates intelligence, scandal, etc., and makes mischief. (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) What does the Lord have to say about those who are talebearers, or gossipers? Let me hasten to say, for the next few days we will be looking at what leads someone to become a talebearer. Two, how does the lord look upon servant leaders who become talebearers, or gossipers to or against their parishioners? Three is there any hope for those who are involved with the evil eye of gossip? Finally we shall look at the final out come of those who refuse to stop talebearing, or gossiping about others. So what does the Bible have to say about those who love to be talebearers, or gossipers? One thing we need to know, that there are various words used in Scripture to describe gossip. Our text for the day will be our starting point. In every day language, “Let no foul language come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. The Old Testament of the Bible was written in Hebrew. In Hebrew the words rakil (talebearer), nirgan (a slanderer), dibba (slander), and awen (falsehood), is referred to in these texts. Leviticus 19:16 - You shall not go about as a slanderer, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.” Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 Proverbs 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Proverbs 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. Proverbs 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 13:3 HE THAT KEEPETH HIS MOUTH KEEPETH HIS LIFE: BUT HE THAT OPENETH WIDE HIS LIPS SHALL HAVE DESTRUCTION Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer [NIV: gossip] separateth chief friends. Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty [NIV: malicious; NKJV: spiteful] tongue. Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth the best of friends. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer [NIV: gossip] are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer [RSV: gossiping] revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. According to Jeremiah 6:28 the talebearer is grievous revolters, who is walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. Finally, today let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Ephesians 4:29. IF ANY MAN AMONG YOU SEEM TO BE RELIGIOUS, AND BRIDLETH NOT (does not keep a tight rein on) HIS TONGUE, BUT DECEIVETH HIS OWN HEART, THIS MAN'S RELIGION IS VAIN (he deceives himself and his religion is worthless-NIV)-James 1:26. Hey, I’m keeping one finger on my mouth today less I forget the evil eye of gossip. Tomorrow join us as we shall look at the Greek meaning for talebearing and gossiping. We are into our fourteenth week since starting Garden Ministry; it is growing with new people asking to subscribe to it each day. If you are gaining spiritual muscle mass, and strength through Garden Ministry, and would like to help some-one else gain Spiritual muscle mass and strength also. Then send Garden Ministry your Testimony at, http://gardenministry.blogspot.com. Every Monday of the seventh week, Garden Ministry would share your Testimony with our faithful viewers and readers. So let us look to the next seventh week and ask ourselves, which letter or message from Garden Ministry helped me to hold on to my faith, or helped someone Else? Look up and push on in the name of Jesus. This week-end let us find someway of which we can unite our communities, and help them find Jesus. Don’t stop preparing yourselves for further service in the Lord. Don’t Give Up. Look Up! Our Prayer for today: Please join us as we pray that God will teach us how to speak only good of one another.                                                                           Remember, you’re the only Jesus some will ever see. If you are blessed by these “uplifting gems”, share them. These letters are written by Elder Kevin Santucci For further information, comment or requests, E-mail Garden Ministry: gardenministryblogspot.com