How NOT To Be Involved In Gossip
1 Timothy 5:11-15
Vs 11: “The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry."
Vs 12: "Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge."
Vs 13: "And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t."
Vs 14: "So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them."
Vs 15: "For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan."
Wow!! NOW I see why my church in the high desert didn't help me after my 1st husband died. Even tho I had committed to abstaining from a relationship until my daughter was 18 and accountable for herself. Yes, I see, I had made a pledge to Jesus, and if I had been 'taken care of' by the church, yup, I totally would have fallen prey to being taken advantage of!! However, I DO feel someone should have asked me 'why' I felt I needed help. From the outside, I had money coming in from SSI and Pension - I should have been good. Yet, I knew NOTHING about managing my money! Therefore, I passed this horrible habit down to my daughter! THIS is an example of the enemy being able to talk bad about me - as well as me following him in to wants and desires for 'stuff' that weren't best for us.
Verse 13 gave me a MEF (minds eye flash) of how so many people are today, that are not working and/or are on some sort of state aid. Not all, but a lot of them DO sit around, become lazy in their actions and choices. Then, they DO gather with others in the same situation, and "talk" about things they shouldn't be talking about. How can we stop this? EASY!! One question, can stop a person from sharing things that are not your business - AND get you out of having to hear it! Ask this question: "Why are you telling me this?" Do NOT be fooled by the "I just want you to pray for..." - if you are given too many details about someone else, then it DOES fall in to the category of gossip! The Lord knows the details, we just need the person, and NOT the whole situation - really, we don't! Don't fall for the "Well, I want you to know, so that you can pray specifically for ...." - that too gets you knowing too much. Yes, there will be times, because you are being asked to help mentor someone, or even go to them and get them to repent - but those are very few and far between.
Today, think back on your early adulthood....things you wish you had done differently. Perhaps, pray for the Lord to bring or reveal someone to you, who could use some of the 'help' of your knowledge. Me, I see the 'strength' in being knowledgeable in the finances of a home. Budgeting, saving, and providing. I try and share with younger women, so they will be a 'help-mate' when they get married or are first married.
I pray, Jesus will show you a strength in yourself that used to be a weakness, and that He provides someone to share your heart with. Have a GREAT day!!
Vs 11: “The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry."
Vs 12: "Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge."
Vs 13: "And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t."
Vs 14: "So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them."
Vs 15: "For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan."
Wow!! NOW I see why my church in the high desert didn't help me after my 1st husband died. Even tho I had committed to abstaining from a relationship until my daughter was 18 and accountable for herself. Yes, I see, I had made a pledge to Jesus, and if I had been 'taken care of' by the church, yup, I totally would have fallen prey to being taken advantage of!! However, I DO feel someone should have asked me 'why' I felt I needed help. From the outside, I had money coming in from SSI and Pension - I should have been good. Yet, I knew NOTHING about managing my money! Therefore, I passed this horrible habit down to my daughter! THIS is an example of the enemy being able to talk bad about me - as well as me following him in to wants and desires for 'stuff' that weren't best for us.
Verse 13 gave me a MEF (minds eye flash) of how so many people are today, that are not working and/or are on some sort of state aid. Not all, but a lot of them DO sit around, become lazy in their actions and choices. Then, they DO gather with others in the same situation, and "talk" about things they shouldn't be talking about. How can we stop this? EASY!! One question, can stop a person from sharing things that are not your business - AND get you out of having to hear it! Ask this question: "Why are you telling me this?" Do NOT be fooled by the "I just want you to pray for..." - if you are given too many details about someone else, then it DOES fall in to the category of gossip! The Lord knows the details, we just need the person, and NOT the whole situation - really, we don't! Don't fall for the "Well, I want you to know, so that you can pray specifically for ...." - that too gets you knowing too much. Yes, there will be times, because you are being asked to help mentor someone, or even go to them and get them to repent - but those are very few and far between.
Today, think back on your early adulthood....things you wish you had done differently. Perhaps, pray for the Lord to bring or reveal someone to you, who could use some of the 'help' of your knowledge. Me, I see the 'strength' in being knowledgeable in the finances of a home. Budgeting, saving, and providing. I try and share with younger women, so they will be a 'help-mate' when they get married or are first married.
I pray, Jesus will show you a strength in yourself that used to be a weakness, and that He provides someone to share your heart with. Have a GREAT day!!
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