This is a Rumor; It is only a Rumor
2 Timothy 2:16 – “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly” (NIV).
About seven years ago at a previous job, an incident arose regarding two employees. This incident was the subject for some “juicy gossip” that spread through the office like wild fire. Well, when it got to me I kept it to myself until a co-worker came to me and asked, “What have you heard about this person and that person?” My co-worker then stated, “I’ve heard bits and pieces, but I haven’t heard the full story. What do you know?”
Well, to cover myself, I made this disclaimer, “This is a rumor; it is only a rumor; do not repeat this; do not spread this because I don’t know if it is true.” Then after that I went forth and told the story. Immediately after I said the last word, this co-worker took off like a horse at the Kentucy Derby. Now we’ve all heard the saying that good news travels fast; well, I guarantee you that gossip spreads even faster.
About ten minutes later, one of the two employees involved in this rumor came to me and asked, “Did this person ask you about what happened this weekend?” At this point I could have taken one of two routes: (1) lie or (2) confess. I chose to confess – Boldly with my disclaimer at hand stating, “Yeah, I told her, but I also told her that it was a rumor; it was only a rumor and do not spread it!” After that she (the involved employee) said, “Well, the next time someone asks you about my business, send them to me.” I then replied, “Will do!”
I never found out whether the rumor was true or not, but I think we all “get” the lesson. Instead of avoiding the godless chatter, I indulged in it and became more ungodly by spreading it. Regardless of whether the information is true or not, remember, you are a child of God and He expects more of you. Consider the following scriptures:
– Psalms 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
– Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
– Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
– Proverbs 26th Chapter
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
– Hebrews 13:15 By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
-James 3rd Chapter
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
No profane thing (gossip, curse words, curses-words of evil intent) should proceed out of the mouth of a child of God — only praises and blessings. We must realize that much of the fruit we bear comes from the words we speak-from our lips (Heb. 13:15). Instead of trying to flatter men with our knowledge of other people’s affairs (Prov. 20:19), let’s win them over to the Kingdom by praising the Lord. Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Nothing good comes from profane, evil, Godless words — no light, only darkness — no glory, only doom. How can we win souls into the kingdom with evil works/words? We can’t. So avoid not only godless chatter but all ungodly things because they separate you from being, as the U.S. Army says, “All you can be.”