Gossip, Contention, And Strife by Larry Hafley

Gossip, Contention, And Strife

Larry Ray Hafley (1943-2024)

“F

   or lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Prov. 26:20, 21).

 

            A gossip is to strife, quarrels, and contention as wood is to fire. Both gossip and wood are fuels. By sealing our ears and sewing our lips shut, we can smother the burning fires of gossip.

 

            The unity of a church may be destroyed by gossip. Because of gossip, love in a marriage may be replaced by suspicion and jealousy. It can divide a nation and separate brothers and best friends. Doubt and distrust reign and rule when gossip takes its political campaign from lying lips to listening ears.

 

            Not all gossip is a lie. Some of it may be the truth. The context and intent of its telling may make it injurious and sinful. Before a thing is told, one should consider the benefit and impact of it. Will the telling of it do good? Will it be helpful or harmful? Because I know it, does it need to be made known to others? “Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the bosom of fools it is made known” (Prov 14:33). “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly” (Prov. 15:2). “A fool’s vexation is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor” (Prov. 12:16).

 

            “The weapons of our warfare,” said Paul, “are not carnal;” that is, they are not of this world (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Spiritual weapons are not material darts and daggers. They are not sinful instruments of the hand, pen, or tongue. Gossip is not of the Spirit but of the flesh. It is earthly, sensual, satanic. Godly men do not use gossip to advance the gospel nor to prosecute error. It is the weapon of choice among spiteful, envious men who seek to undermine the influence of others while feigning love for truth and righteousness.

 

            Gossip establishes nothing of virtue and honor. It builds nothing to be admired and cherished. It provides no nourishment and sustenance for the soul. Gossip does not increase understanding and enlightenment. It does not support and strengthen the weak. It enhances neither courage nor determination.

 

            Do not assist gossip. Listening to gossip arms and enables it. Repeating it makes one an accessory to sin and spreads the poison. Turn a deaf ear to gossip lest it stain your mind and arouse distrust and resentment toward another. Gossip is presented as a dainty morsel, as dessert to the ear. However, it is trash that seeks to make your heart its garbage can.

 

            Gossip is addictive, both to the hearing and the telling faculties of man. Like strong drink and gambling, one can become “hooked” on it, unable to shake its devilish allure. “(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)” It is the entertainment of the idle and the cheer of the fool. Avoid it. Pass it by.

“One Thing I Know”

 “One Thing I Know”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

     After Jesus healed the man born blind (Jn. 9:1-14), it caused “no small stir” among the Pharisees and others who had known this man was blind. (Jn. 9:8-14). This act upset the Pharisees rather than bringing them joy. They did not deny Jesus performed a miracle, but objected to His action because He did it on the Sabbath (Jn. 9:14, 16). They were so upset over this turn of events that they questioned the former blind man about it (v. 17), and his parents (v. 18-20). His parents feared being cast out of the synagogue (v. 22), so they said very little; thus, the Pharisees and others went back and questioned the former blind man again (v. 24).

            These people conjectured whether Jesus was a sinner (Jn. 9:16, 24), a prophet (v. 17), or what. The answer of that former blind man gets my attention. He said, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (v. 25).

            That was the evidence that could not be denied! With the man’s statement in John 9:25, he came to the correct conclusion that “if this man were not of God, he could do nothing” (v. 33).

            Why can we not be satisfied with the “one thing”? A common problem is seen when people read a portion of the Bible and then jump to conclusions based on conjecture or speculation. We see this in those who assume Saul/Paul fell off a donkey when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8, 22:6-16). I have read this text many times in my life and never found anything as big as a donkey on the page! I understand folks rode animals in those days. They also walked, rode in wagons, etc. However, what does the text say? I might not know all of the events surrounding the conversion of Saul, but “one thing I know” is that he fell to the ground, and there is no mention of any animals in the text (Acts 9:4, 22:7)! Let us not assume there were any!

            Others conjecture and speculate about the number of wise men who visited Jesus. First, some assume they visited Jesus the night He was born, and second, it is believed there were only three wise men who worshipped Him (Matt. 2:11-12).

            A careful reading of Matthew 2:1-12 and Luke 2:1-20 shows us that these men came to see Jesus sometime after His birth. We do not read about a specific number of wise men who were there. We read only the plural word “men” (Matt. 2:1). I am sure many people have done more study on this text than I, but “one thing I know” is that God did not give us the exact number of wise men who visited Jesus, nor was their visit on the night of His birth, but sometime later when He was in “the house” (Matt. 2:12) rather than out with the animals (Lk. 2:7, 12).

            Another common mistake is misquoting Scripture. Have we ever heard things like: “Money is the root of all evil”? Or, “God won’t put more on you than you can bear”? These statements are not found in the Bible. Yet, perhaps we heard a family member, friend, or acquaintance say these things. Maybe someone else misquoted these (or other passages)?

            There are a lot of things I don’t know, but “one thing I know” is that we are always going to benefit when we go back to the source, and not merely rely on someone to tell us what the Lord has said (Jn. 8:32; Acts 17:11). In our two examples above, when we read I Timothy 6:10 and I Corinthians 10:13 for ourselves, we will know the truth, and these Scriptures do not say what many think they say! Relying on hearsay can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the Scriptures, which can have profound spiritual consequences, including being lost in Hell.

Conclusion

            Let us leave the conjecture and speculation out of our teaching and preaching. Let us leave it out of our personal Bible study. Let us be satisfied that the “one thing I know” is the word of God in its pure form. When we do this, we will have the spiritual nourishment and knowledge necessary to get from earth to Heaven (II Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14)!

"Childish Thinking"

“Childish Thinking”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

    At one time or another, we have all been guilty of childish thinking. (Mostly children are guilty of this, but some adults have a hard time growing out of it!) Paul discussed this subject and said, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. .... Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature” (I Cor. 13:11, 14:20). I Corinthians 13:11 in the American Bible Union translation reads: “but now that I am become a man, I have done away the things of the child.”

            When it comes to our thinking or understanding, God expects Christians to “be men” (I Cor. 14:20), i.e., “completeness:--of full age, perfect” (Strong’s). Of course, perfection or completeness comes through learning God’s word (II Tim. 3:15-17; Eph. 3:4; II Tim. 2:15).

            Consider those whom God regards as His children. Paul said the Corinthians were babes in Christ, and he could not speak to them as he wished (I Cor. 3:1, 3). Read Ephesians 4, especially verses 13 and 14, which contrast maturity with childishness. The goal is to become a "mature" (full-grown) person and no longer be “children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, or deceitful schemes.”

            Consider some examples of childish thinking and see if we are guilty, or if we are maturing spiritually as we ought (II Pet. 3:18). Some examples of childish thinking are evident in the following questions that people ask.

“Where Does The Bible Say Not To?”

            This kind of thinking runs rampant in our society. To justify certain “pet” practices, people will ask, “Where does the Bible say not to?” when they lack positive authority. Similarly, we know some who ask, “What is wrong with ____ ?” Other similar questions have been asked, which point toward the same problem.

            What is the problem? The problem is that some try to justify their actions based on God’s silence. We cannot do this! Paul said, “All scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for teaching in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (II Tim. 3:16-17). Based on this passage, we know that if God has not authorized it in Scripture, then it is not a good work. Other scriptures that emphasize this point include II Peter 1:3, I Peter 4:11, and Deuteronomy 29:29. The consequences of reasoning from silence can lead us astray from God’s will and into sin.

            Seeing that we are expected to go by what has been revealed in the Bible, why “whittle on God’s end of the stick”? Why would we want to dabble in things not belonging to us when so many don’t have a grasp on what does belong to us (i.e., that which has been revealed)?

            Friends and brethren, children, not mature people, reason based upon silence. We wouldn’t dare reason this way with our parents (more than once!), so why would we try reasoning this way in spiritual matters? Our responsibility is to follow what God has said, not what He has not said!

“Where Is The Line?”

            The Bible says that one’s dress is to be a reflection of one’s mind (I Pet. 3:4), showing “modesty and self-control,” allowing “the hidden man of the heart” to shine forth (I Tim. 2:9-10; I Pet. 3:1-5). If we are thinking about the right things (Phil. 4:8), our actions (including our dress) will reflect this. Just as it is true that people underdress, there is also a danger of “over-dressing” (I Pet. 3:3). Both are sin. Our dress tells people as much about us as any word we say (I Pet. 3:1, 4).

            We must set a good example for others, including family and coworkers (Matt. 5:14-16). The rules established by God for modest clothing apply to both men and women! There is not one set of rules for men and another for women. This must be understood if we want to be the kind of Christians and examples we need to be “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:15-16). When God clothed Adam and Eve, He had them wear garments covering their bodies (Gen. 3:21). The same principle still applies today.

            Yet, childish thinking asks, “Where is the line for modesty?” “Is it above the knee or below?” What is the measurement for low cut? High cut? Too tight? Too loose? Too baggy? Too short? Childish thinking asks such questions as this because, as a child, some want to know where the line is so they can get right up against it! Those who are mature, those who think “as a man,” want to get as far away from sin as possible. Therefore, it doesn’t matter where the “edge” is to them! A mature Christian wants to dress in a way that is modest, expressing his faith and respect for God and his fellow man! A mature Christian wants to do nothing to excite lust in another and cause someone to stumble and sin (Matt. 5:27-28). Read I Timothy 2:9-10 and I Peter 3:1-5 again and see if this is not the case.

            Similarly, childish thinking asks, “How much violence is too much on TV, movies, etc.?” Or, “How much cursing and bad language is too much? - Where is the line?” The mature Christian wishes to please God by finding out what God has to say and living by His word!

“That’s Your Interpretation!”

            How many times have we heard this? When people do not like what is taught, they will often respond in this way. Let’s test this childish way of thinking. Is it really my interpretation when:

1. I read Mark 16:16 and say that Christ says baptism is essential for salvation?
2. I read Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 4:4 and say that Christ established only one church?
3. I read I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 and say that elders and deacons are to be in every church, and that they are to be men?
4. I read Matthew 19:4-6, 9, and say that God’s law for marriage is one man and one woman for life, with only one reason (fornication) for a Scriptural divorce?
5. I read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 and say God demands singing without mechanical instruments in worship to Him?

            When we take the Bible “as is,” how is this an “interpretation”? The truth is that when the Bible is taught, and it does not match a person’s personal views, he will childishly cry, “That’s your interpretation!”

“What Is Your (Or The Majority’s) Opinion?”

            We are aware of those who are satisfied to follow the majority opinion. They think that if they are doing what most other people are doing, then they must be right. If you think this is a good standard to follow:

1. Talk to Noah (Gen. 6-8; Heb. 11:7).
2. Talk to Paul (II Tim. 4:16-17).
3. Talk to Christ (Matt. 26:56).

            God said: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Childish thinking wants to know what “everyone else” thinks before making a move! The mature mind asks, “What does the Scripture say?” and based upon God’s will, acts accordingly. What the majority does or does not do has no bearing on our soul! Our obedience or disobedience to God will affect our souls! (Rom. 14:12)

            Let’s not follow the “majority,” the “accepted,” the “norm” in our society, for as our culture continues to sink lower and lower, the “norm” changes as well. Our responsibility as Christians is to press higher and higher, respecting the will of God (Col. 3:1-4; Matt. 6:19-21)!

Conclusion

            Childish thinking is carnal (“pertaining to flesh, i.e., bodily, temporal, fleshly” - Strong’s, I Cor. 3:1-3). Childish thinking is not interested in the spiritual, but in the physical. It is not interested in the needs of others, but only in its own interests. In truth, all childish thinking is based on the attitude, “I want to do it” (selfishness). How sad it is that so much of our society is consumed by self-interest and is not concerned with the welfare (spiritual or otherwise) of others.

            God wants those who are men to stand with Him and follow Him all the days of their lives. One time, God searched for a man and found none (Ezek. 22:30). Would He find any today? I hope so! Let us not be children in understanding, but let us be men (I Cor. 14:20)! 

A Congregation Of The Lord’s Church Is Almost Certain To Grow When … (author unknown)

 A Congregation Of The Lord’s Church Is Almost Certain To Grow When …

Author Unknown (Scripture added by JMJ)

1. Each member has a deep concern for the lost (Matt. 22:39; Lk. 15:1-32).
2. Each member worships with enthusiasm (Jn. 4:24).
3. Each member is interested in improving his teaching ability (Heb. 5:12-14).
4. Each member is interested in an aggressive Bible study (Titus 2:1, 8).
5. Each member is personally involved in his work of soul-saving (II Tim. 2:2).
6. Each member lets brotherly love express itself to every other member (Heb. 13:1; II Pet. 1:5-7; Jn. 13:34-35).

"At Thy Word I Will"

 “At Thy Word, I Will”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

    Luke 5:1-11 records the miracle of the great catch of fish by Peter in the lake Gennesaret, or Galilee. This account begins with Christ entering Peter’s boat (v. 3) and teaching the people gathered at the shore. When Christ finished speaking, He commanded Peter to launch out “for a draught” (v. 4). A draught is “a catching (of fish); also (concr.) a haul (of fish)” (Strong’s). Peter’s response was: “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (v. 5).

            The words Peter spoke on this occasion meant something. The word “master” generally denotes a teacher (Ex: Matt. 19:16, 23:8). In this case, “master” “denotes a chief, a commander, overseer, .... It is used by the disciples in addressing the Lord, in recognition of his authority rather than His instruction” (Vine’s Amp., p. 506). Peter didn’t need a lesson in fishing. He knew how to fish, where, when, etc. He needed to recognize the One in authority!

            The miracle performed on this occasion was more than simply catching fish. The miracle is also seen in the manner in which the fish were caught. The time for the type of fishing Peter, James, and John did was at night (v. 5a). The place for this type of fishing was near the shore, in the shallow water. Therefore, Jesus tells Peter to go to the wrong part of the lake at the wrong time of the day to catch this “draught,” “haul,” or “catch” of fish!

            Christ’s command to go during the day into the deep part of the lake was foreign to what Peter would have done. Yet, in respect for Christ’s authority, Peter did it. What was the result? “They enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink .... he was astonished ... at the draught of the fishes which they had taken” (Lk. 5:6-9). Why did Peter catch such a large number of fish? It was because after Christ told him to go, Peter said, “At thy word I will...” What does this teach us?

The Things We Do Must Be Done In Accordance With God’s Word.

            Peter said,  “At thy word...”. Christ’s word was contrary to many things Peter and these men knew about fishing. Nevertheless, because Christ said it, Peter did it! Christ’s command to go into the deep for fish was:

1. Contrary to Tradition -- Peter could have said, “We have always gone at night, in the shallow water to catch fish.”
2. Contrary to Parents’ Teaching -- We understand that at this time, the sons followed in their fathers’ trade. Therefore, Peter’s father would have taught him to get fish in the shallow water at night if he were to make a living.
3. Contrary to the actions of friends -- “No one else” was doing what Peter was doing (Lk. 5:7).
4. Contrary to Financial sense -- “Fishing was a prosperous trade on the lake of Galilee” (Four-Fold Gospel, 162). Peter’s way was proven to be successful, but the Lord’s way seemed not to be successful. After all, what would a carpenter know about fishing?

            However, Peter went against all these things and obeyed the Lord. Our response needs to be the same. If Christ said it, we do it! Even if this means:

1. Contradicting Tradition -- The Jews in the New Testament had to come to grips with this, and so do we!
2. Contradicting our parents -- Remember Matthew 10:34-37? We must love our parents, but not more than God!
3. Contradicting our friends -- Our friends are not going to judge us. Christ is (Jn. 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16)!
4. Contradicting financial sense -- Those who truly follow the gospel do not do so for the money or physical gain (I Tim. 6:10; Matt. 6:19-21).

Our Obedience To Christ Must Be Voluntary.

            The last part of Peter’s response was: “I will...” Peter recognized Christ, the Master, was speaking to him! He was there when Mary told the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (Jn. 2:5). He understood also that he needed to willingly obey the Lord.

            In like manner, our obedience to the Lord is voluntary, not compulsory or mandatory! Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15).  Friends, how much do we love Christ? God has always wanted His people to worship and obey Him because they wanted to, not because they were forced to!

            God has always allowed men the choice as to whether or not they would obey Him. This truth is seen in Genesis 2:15-17, Exodus 16:4, Deuteronomy 6:10-15, 27:11-13, Judges 2:15-19, and into the New Testament where Paul makes it plain that God wants a “willing mind” (II Cor. 8:12, 9:7). If we are following the Lord, obeying Him merely because of :

1. Tradition -- We’ve always gone here.
2. Our Parents -- They brought me up “under this roof”
3. Our Friends -- They are going here.
4. Money -- Some belong to the church for the financial gains that can come from the associations.

            If these are our reasons, then we are in sin! We must follow the Lord with faith and conviction. Let us follow the Lord willingly because we love Him and wish to do what He has said (Jn. 14:15; Matt. 22:37-39). Let us be as Peter and say, “At the word I will...”!

Freedom

 “Freedom”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

      We have just recently celebrated our nation’s birthday. On July 4th, our country celebrated its 249th birthday! What a great day, and indeed, we ought to be thankful to God for sparing this country and blessing it in all the ways that He has. As I thought about the freedom, the liberty, we have in this country, I couldn’t help but compare it to the freedom men and women have who are in Christ.

            Not all slaves wear a physical chain! Some today are slaves, even in this country of liberty, for they are slaves to sin. Jesus said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave, NKJ) of sin” (Jn. 8:34). However, we are also taught that when we have the truth, we can be free (Jn. 8:32). The Bible says that when one is in Christ, he has liberty (Gal. 2:4).

            How can one get into Christ and enjoy this freedom from sin? One does this through faith in Christ and baptism. Paul said, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). When one puts on Christ in baptism, his sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38), he is added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47), and he is made free from sin! What a wonderful thing, and how great is our God to provide us with freedom that can be experienced in this country, and any other country on the face of this earth! Are you free? Do you have liberty in Christ?