“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” Proverbs 26:20
Beloved,
Two years ago I went hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We hiked 30 miles in 3 days. It was early April and the weather was cold. The best thing to do on cold nights is to light a fire, but unfortunately the rain from the morning caused much of our wood at our campsite unusable. Let me tell you that without wood a fire most surely goes out. The fire did not last long because there was no fuel to add to the fire.
American Churches are known for its quarrels and bickering among its own. It grieves my heart every time I hear churches marked by infighting and gossip. Pastor Kent Hughes defines gossip this way: Gossip involves saying behind a person’s back what you would never say to his or her face. We have the opportunity to protect the unity of our church by simply choosing not to participate in gossip. You can be a part of growing unity simply by saying nothing. Do not give fuel to quarrels by participating in gossip. If you would not say it to the person’s face, than do not say it behind their back.
We must fight against our fleshly impulses and avoid gossip at all costs. Gossip is divisive and destroys the unity of the church. James1:10, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” If you are using your mouth to curse others with gossip, repent of your sins and strive to be a blessing with your words to this church. Do not tear one another down with our words, but use every opportunity to build up the saints. Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies down. Be part of letting quarrels die.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave
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