Poisonous Grapevines

"... character assassination is at once easier and surer than physical assault, and it involves far less risk for the assassin. It leaves him free to commit the same deed over and over again, and may, indeed, win him honors of a hero even in the country of his victims." - Alan Barth

Have you ever known someone who said something unkind about someone else that wasn't true? Have you been that person who said the unkind falsehood? I think many times we think words are harmless and that they won't hurt...Big mistake.

Words can destroy lives. Words can annihilate characters. Words can also uplift, encourage, and praise - may our lips be anointed with holy talk that is as a balm to wounded hearts.

Even if we know disgusting truths about our enemies, let that knowledge be buried with the disgusting truths about ourselves.

Shall we be jealous for the reputation of our friends? Of course! How about our enemies? Harder to swallow, eh? Right now the presidential campaign is in full swing with ads from both candidates exposing each other. For once I'd like to see Bush or Kerry run an ad that says "Hey, check this out! Do you realize how awesome George Bush or John Kerry is? Let me fill you in!" Chances are we will never see that happen.

Christ is jealous for our reputation. He won't expose us even if we have done something truly evil. He loves us!

Let us follow His example.

NOBODY'S FRIEND

My name is gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache, and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry on their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called gossip, party gossip, telephone gossip, and don't forget CHURCH gossip. I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not, bite your tongue.

"To murder character is as truly a crime as to murder the body, the tongue of the slanderer is brother to the dagger of the assassin." - Tyrone Edwards