February 09, Rumors

Today’s reading: Psalms 41-45

“All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, ‘A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies’”  -  Psalm 41:7-8.

David reported how his enemies had concocted rumors that encouraged them in their vicious attempts to destroy his reputation and life. Those rumors served to diminish David’s stature and importance in their minds so they could justify their persecution and ensure their probability of victory. Rumors are a way of life and unfortunately are sometimes the most effective and efficient way of communicating, even when they contain half-truths and lies. Your role should be two-fold: Don’t receive and pass on rumors with information that is hearsay and cannot be substantiated. And don’t manufacture rumors, especially those that contain gossip and innuendo that can destroy or reduce people’s esteem or stature in the minds of others. Remember what Paul wrote: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25). Are you a source of rumors, either to manufacture or disseminate them? What changes do you need to make to stop that habit?