Recently, one of my good friends was defamed in a blog comment by a person who professes to be a believer.
Of course, the Blog Manager didn’t approve the comment. But it inspired this post.
The next time you hear someone slam a fellow Christian or put them in a bad light, ask them:
Do you personally know the person you’re slamming? And what was his/her response when you shared your accusations with him/her over coffee?
You’ll quickly find that nine times out of ten, the person doesn’t know the person they are disparaging and never spoke with them via phone, let alone in person, about whatever they have an issue about it — the appropriate format where serious issues should be worked out among God’s children. (We would want no less if it were us being defamed – Matthew 7:12.)
“Malign no one” NASB; “Speak evil of no one” NKJV; “Slander no one” NIV
~ Titus 3:2
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. By this you will fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”
~ Jesus
“I’ll speak ill of no man, not even in the matter of truth, but excuse the faults I hear and speak the good I know of everybody.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
Don’t make the mistake of following a Christian “leader” who judges the motives of others, disparages their efforts, demeans their character, or belittles their successes.
This is a tell-tale sign that the perceived “leader” is unbroken, dangerous, and will injure others.
Become what you already are (you are glorious in Christ), pursue Him who is already yours (He’s wonderful and discoverable), and listen to Him who never stops speaking (pay attention and be aware).
If every Christian followed this biblical advice, would it change our world?
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In