Category Archives: Communication

Gossip & Slander

Church, Communication, Spiritual,
Gossip & Slander

Gossip…

It’s funny.

The Bible talks about gossip and slander as significant sin issues.

Society is filled with people talking about people. Social media has exponentially allowed for the world wide conversation to escalate in epic proportion.

The definition of gossip is as follows…

1. casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

2. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others

3. rumor or report of an intimate nature

Slander is defined as…

  1. the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation
  2. a false and defamatory oral statement about a person

The irony about the topic of sin pertaining to conversation is that with so much talking going on seldom do we hear the preacher, teacher, TALK about this very issue.

This post isn’t to fault anyone, it’s simply a point to highlight because I cannot recall one message, aside from someone else writing on the subject in a blog that I read once upon a time.

Honestly speaking, having conversation about others, especially others that we’ve never actually had a conversation with in a negative light, a majority of the time, is fruitless, weak and unnecessary.

Personally, when I find myself talking about others, I ask myself if I’d say the same thing to the person’s face or in their presence. If I don’t feel as though I would say it to their face, I’d likely be guilty of gossip or slander and do my best to not say the thought or share the idea.

Let’s face it; gossip and slander are tools the accuser of the brethren uses against the saints, one to another. In a real sense, any time someone speaks gossip and slander, they are partnering with Satan. Frightening picture to behold, but it’s the reality.

Check out what the book of James has to say about the taming of the tongue…

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a ]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of]nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. – James 3:2-12

If we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit guilt when it comes to both gossip and slander. Every single person on the planet is absolutely guilty of participating in these sins. No one is unique or guilt free.

So what do we do?

We pray. We pray to ask the Holy Spirit the power and self-control to not participate in such conversation. Ephesians 5:18-21 talks about what we are to speak to one another.

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear ofGod.

Philippians also mentions the things in which we’re to think about as well…

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you

We pray that the Lord would give us the ability through His Spirit to tame the tongue, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. It’s possible through His leadership in Jesus’ name.

Come Lord Jesus come….

Talking About Adultery Got John the Baptist Beheaded

Church, Communication, Government, Marriage, , , , , , , ,

Continuing the conversation about a “Great Wail” a couple of posts earlier. It’s interesting to note that it was John the Baptist’s talk about adultery to Herod that got him killed. Wow. Notice how touchy this particular discussion regarding “adultery” is for Herodias that she wants to kill John over it. Yeah, it’s a hot topic, not talked about much today. In fact, adultery is rampant, maybe more than ever? It’s everywhere. If we take a close look at what Jesus calls adultery it’s clear – the problem in America is widespread. We’ve all fallen short of the glory of God. Take a look at the scripture below as to exactly what the progression to John’s death looked like:

“17 For Herod, himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” – Mark 6:17-29

Woman Caught in Adultery

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

The woman who got caught in adultery is another great story. He who is without sin let him throw the first stone, paraphrasing Jesus. Nobody threw a stone and Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Stop committing adultery. Stop participating in it. End that relationship. Pretty straight forward. You got caught in this act. Stop committing the act and live.

So much of the Church seams to do one of two things, ignore the command to sin no more or remains ignorant of the words of Jesus as to how and what He identifies as adultery as mentioned in Matthew 5, along with other passages.

Could you imagine if more pastors started calling this particular issue out from the pulpit for what it is, not every week but simply talk about what Jesus says qualifies as marriage and that which does not? He really lays it out quite clearly. A pastor/preacher might lose his head or at least a large portion of the congregation, because let’s face it a MAJOR portion of the so called Church is quite alright with living in the sin of adultery. The flock would be reduced to a fraction of whatever the current numbers were. Instead, we’re focusing on gifts or prosperity or politics or take your pick. All of those things mentioned are wonderful and need to be discussed, yet, our families are falling apart at the seems. Satan absolutely hates people calling attention to this sin so much so that he had John the Baptist beheaded for it. I suspect we have NO idea how damaging this particular sin is upon marriages, family and humanity.

“But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.” (Proverbs 6:32 NLT)

Marriage and family is the very thing God created to be a picture and reflection of Himself in the earth and it’s  coming unglued at the seems.

The very essence and nature of God is family. It’s so clear Satan is out to destroy the image and reflection of God in the earth, from conception to grave. He’s working to speed this process up exponentially. The people of the Lord need to take the earth back, rule and reign as God originally intended since the Garden – to take dominion.

All of creation groans for the revealing of the sons of God.

Where are they? Take a look in the mirror. It’s you. It’s time to actually become the reflection of Jesus Christ in the earth. Look like Him. Talk like Him. Think like Him. Act like Him. Walk like Him. Heal like Him. Do miracles like Him. The works Jesus did and GREATER you will do. But first, you’ve got to DO what Jesus did, to do greater than He did.

Holy Ghost breathe. In Yeshua’s name. Amen.

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Communication

Communication, , , , , ,

Communication.

What an amazing idea this word represents.

  • ”  an act or instance of transmitting

  • 2 a :  information transmitted or conveyed b :  a verbal or written message

  • 3 a :  a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior <the function of pheromones in insect communication>; also :  exchange of information b :  personal rapport <a lack of communication between old and young persons>

  • 4 plural a :  a system (as of telephones) for transmitting or exchanging information b :  a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c :  personnel engaged in transmitting or exchanging information

  • 5 plural but sing or plural in constr a :  a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech) b :  the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)”

    From Merriam Webster

In the absence of communication, thoughts, perceptions and judgements – right ones or wrong ones form.  It’s amazing to me how often communication is in-effective, non-existent or completely misunderstood.  It happens every day.

I think the biggest challenge is between men and women. Two humans wired similarly, yet, completely different.  Different focuses. Different perspective. Different ideas. Different dreams. The list goes on.

Repeatedly, through-out society we see misunderstanding happen again and again.  No matter what the intention seems to be good, bad or ugly, in the absence of communication, poor judgement, condemnation, fear, anxiety, worry, and lies can form that are completely unfounded.  It seems the accuser of the brethren surfs on the the verbal ques, miss ques, etc and fills in the gaps of the unknown with a totally bogus story-line. Unfortunately, this tactic works  occurs over and over and over again.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “One of the biggest, if not the biggest issues with the fall (that came as a result of sin and disconnectedness to YHWH) is the impurity and brokenness of communication.” Perfect communication and understanding fell by the way side completely.  Think about how many wars could have been prevented, marriages or businesses could have stayed together??? Countless. All because of communication issues.

Fear came in where transparency used to be.  With the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we now can come boldly to the throne of grace.  We are restored.  If we can do that with the Most High, why not come boldly one to another?  Matthew 5 and 18 both talk about going to the one who apposes you, to work it out.  Another scripture comes to mind, “as much as it depends upon you live at peace with all men.” Two people seeking to follow Jesus, ought to come to peaceable conclusions in any situation.  Who knows, maybe it’s just me?  Maybe I need to raise my standard and everyone else already speaks boldly the truth in their heart, transparently in compassion for one another or maybe people are simply afraid of confrontation?  Satan wins if this kind of fear goes on.  This is what he wants, separation, with nobody communicating only letting the problem marinate longer and longer.  I can’t help but think of the scripture, “cowards have their place in the lake of fire…” paraphrasing of course.

8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8 NKJV

God’s people are not cowards.  Is this in context? Out of context?  You be the judge… I can handle it either way.

Talking about each other, rather than to each other, is such a waste of time. It will be an amazing day when we mature to a place where we can be completely transparent and okay with someone else’s perspective that is completely contrary to our own view.  Think of it, love, in total disagreement.  Thoughts discussed with honor, dignity and care for the other individual, without insecurely having to defend one’s own belief and writing the apposing view/individual off completely with the “them vs. us” mentality.  Healthy discussions, so enriching and stimulating.

Going after agreement, disagreement, truth, honor, compassion and dignity all at once is totally possible, when everyone in the room is capable of being an adult.  Let’s grow up.  I have much room to grow personally, yet, hopeful and excited for the possibility of more. There’s so much more.

Super expectant for the possibility of growth and maturity taking place in the days ahead. Yay Holy Ghost helper! Help us Your people. In Y’shua’s name. Amen. 🙂

PS – You’re free to not amen that prayer if you disagree. It’s really okay. It’s super okay. 😉

Agape.

Any thoughts, comments, ideas?  You’re more than welcome to share freely and openly.  I triple dog dare you… that’s right, the TRIPLE DOG DARE….. lol

Just remember, you’re not a coward.  If nothing else, I hope you’re entertained and amused.  Plus, now you have more to talk about with them. 😉

Communication. What a trip.