Read: Leviticus 19:11-16

You shall not go about as
a talebearer among your
people. -Leviticus 19:16

According to persistent reports, I have divorced my
wife and have married a 20-year-old. I am also reputed
to visit taverns and was pulled from my wrecked car so
intoxicated that I couldn’t stand up. I have been
accused of being involved in every conceivable kind of
racket and scandal. And worse yet, these stories have
been believed by some people.

Do these things bother me? Not at all. I just feel
sorry for the scandal mongers who spread these choice
bits of gossip. I can say, with David, “All who hate me
whisper together against me” (Ps. 41:7). I take some
comfort in knowing that this has been the experience of
many of God’s servants.

Some time ago a friend told me of a particularly
sordid rumor about me. When I heard it, I jumped up and
shouted, “Praise the Lord!” My friend was surprised
until I quoted to him the words of Jesus: “Blessed are
you when they revile and persecute you, and say all
kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Mt.
5:11). He added, “Rejoice in that day and leap for
joy!” (Lk. 6:23).

If you are serving the Lord, and people are spreading
rumors about you (Lev. 19:16), remember that what counts
most is not what people say about you but what the Lord
in heaven knows about you. And then rejoice!
-M.R. De Haan, M.D.

When lies and rumors spread and seek
To hurt and injure you,
Don’t fret and worry – trust the Lord
Because He knows what’s true. -Sper

HE WHO GOSSIPS TO YOU ABOUT OTHERS
WILL GOSSIP TO OTHERS ABOUT YOU!

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.