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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Theft of Reputation
I found this to be a very interesting article on Theft of Reputation. I had a pastor in the past who did one of his sermons on this and thought it was very good. I would like to share it with you..
Malicious gossip can "murder" a person's reputation. Slander can rob a person of his good name.
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Proverbs 10:18-19, NIV).
The slanderer would not slander if he did not have a willing audience. Bad and immoral stories appeal to fallen human nature. Not only is the bearer of bad news guilty, but the one who listens shares in the wrongdoing: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts (Proverb 18:8, NIV).
An exception would be if the listener is part of the solution and not part of the problem. A counselor or someone who is genuinely interested in restoring a fallen person is part of the solution. And part of the therapy is listening.
Someone will protest, "If something bad comes to mind, I may as well speak it out as to think it. I don't want to be a hypocrite!" A hypocrite is someone who is evil and acts like a good person for his own ends. Speaking bad words is like dumping a basket of feathers out of a two story house. As all the feathers cannot be picked up, so the words cannot be recalled. A chain reaction is started that will continue damaging people's character. Character assassination can be result. Family and friends also suffer emotionally.
Another may protest, "But what I said is true!" Suppose God has forgiven the person in question. If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, we align ourselves against God.
The saying is true, If you can't say anything good about someone, Don't say anything!
William Shakespeare penned these words, He that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed.
Good mental health requires the exercise of faith in God and positive thinking. It is unhealthy to think about bad things. Paul teaches, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
The answer to gossip is a good dose of the love of God.
Paul writes, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV).
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person [italics mine], its hopes are fade less under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening] (1 Corinthians 13:7, AMP).
Malicious gossip can "murder" a person's reputation. Slander can rob a person of his good name.
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Proverbs 10:18-19, NIV).
The slanderer would not slander if he did not have a willing audience. Bad and immoral stories appeal to fallen human nature. Not only is the bearer of bad news guilty, but the one who listens shares in the wrongdoing: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts (Proverb 18:8, NIV).
An exception would be if the listener is part of the solution and not part of the problem. A counselor or someone who is genuinely interested in restoring a fallen person is part of the solution. And part of the therapy is listening.
Someone will protest, "If something bad comes to mind, I may as well speak it out as to think it. I don't want to be a hypocrite!" A hypocrite is someone who is evil and acts like a good person for his own ends. Speaking bad words is like dumping a basket of feathers out of a two story house. As all the feathers cannot be picked up, so the words cannot be recalled. A chain reaction is started that will continue damaging people's character. Character assassination can be result. Family and friends also suffer emotionally.
Another may protest, "But what I said is true!" Suppose God has forgiven the person in question. If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, we align ourselves against God.
The saying is true, If you can't say anything good about someone, Don't say anything!
William Shakespeare penned these words, He that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed.
Good mental health requires the exercise of faith in God and positive thinking. It is unhealthy to think about bad things. Paul teaches, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
The answer to gossip is a good dose of the love of God.
Paul writes, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV).
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person [italics mine], its hopes are fade less under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening] (1 Corinthians 13:7, AMP).
About Me
- **Ya Think**
- Lodi, California, United States
- I was raised in Wyoming where the Small Town Environment never left my soul. I have returned to California after living several years in the South. I look forward to life here and am grateful for the opportunity to return home in such a magnificent way!! Thank you my dear friends who all made this possible
5 comments:
What you write Biblically is all true, and I so admire your working hard on having a Christian response, but if what I think is happening, is happening, do please take steps to protect yourself. God wants us to be good stewards of our own persons as well. That's Biblical. Did you see that attorney I recommended? We both well know that there are areas that can be overstepped so completely that it becomes a matter not only of morality, but of breaking laws.
Well, anyway dear, I hope this coming weekend helps put some of this behind you - - slander/stalking or whatever the term that defines this black cloud always leaves a dirty spiritual atmosphere. I will pray that the angels will lift those clouds away and give you clear, happy sunshine! And, again, don't fear legal help to help lift those clouds if need be!
PS - remember all those missionaries - so many are in town now. I visited and had a great time the past few days - but I remember one thing from being so intimately acquainted - even people of God do not walk problem free relationally. Please don't feel as if this thing were your fault - you were feeling pretty uneasy early on............I'm learning more and more to follow my gut! When I let my head lead, it can lead me alright....for some reason you & I were/are not quitters to a fault - so we stay past the time we should leave. There is a time to stay, a time to quit - is that a bad paraphrase on Ecc.?
Be strong, ok! Enough - I get carried away.
Hey there Gardenia,
I appreciate you so much. Yes, I saw the attorney and I actually have more options than I realized. Once again, thanks.
You know I am pretty calm around all this all considered. I know God is taking care of it. Things seemed dandy until I made it clear I wanted to sever all connections with my ex and then their aggression cranked up. I simply keep praying about all this, seeking spiritual guidance, and putting my time to good use. I will let God handle this and I am going to shelf it (compartmentalize) and enjoy Linda while she is here.
Do you know one of them actually left some spiteful messages on my T's answering machine in hopes to cause me a problem with her? It did not work, but still... That should be my one safe haven. Well that, my church home, and my personal home. My ex gets others to do her bidding for her... This was one of the things that made me jumpy in the first place. And she does it by getting people to feel sorry for her.
At first I wanted to assign cultural blame, but you know, I am not going to let them off that easy. I don't think this is cultural at all. Someone I know recently stated there is a difference between getting older and maturing. This is 3 very immature women ranging in the ages 40 - 70ish. So is it an Alabama thang? I don't think so.
I am pleased I have remained as calm as I have through this. When one of them called a few days ago I said "When does this stop and when is enough enough. I finally took a stand and made it clear I have reached my limit with this childish behavior and would utilize every legal means to put a stop to this silliness.
Gawd!! Can you imagine 10 years ago? I would have ripped em all new arses. While I don't like having to get older, I am appreciating the maturing processes and learning from lifes lessons. I have taken the advice of my new found attorney, T, and spiritual advisor. I am ceasing all communications with all of them completely. Snail mail will be the only accepted form and limited to finances.
What I have found to be one of the most helpful resources for me recently is when I feel overwhelmed or need answers, I pull out my study bible and have a couple of wonderful Bible Study websites I go to. Sometimes the answers are so simple, but they are there.
I will talk to you later.
again .... many thanks.
"Theft of Reputation" is a powerful statement reminding me to Trust and and have Faith in the Spirit that is truely in charge of the Universe. I sometimes get so micro focused and forget there is a much larger canvas being painted. Thank you for sharing.