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 Speaking Evil of Brothers And Sisters in the Lord

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. - 2 Thessalonians 3:11

In the Church of Thessalonica, Paul had to warn the believers to not associate with other believers who were gossiping about and even possibly slandering other people in the Church. Such believers were disfellowshipped as they did not follow in the way of the Apostles traditions and teachings (2 Thessalonians 3:6). But such disfellowshipping was only to cause them to realize they should have "shame" for the sins they are doing. It was a last resort effort to get their attention so they would realize their error. It is very easy at times to focus on other people failures, look into strange teachings and even be convinced that we understand something that no one else every in Church history has believed. Paul the Apostle warns against idle thinking that essentially focuses on useless or very obscure things that have no value and do not agree with the teachings of the Apostles and the Church. Being a busybody has in its connection one who gossips about others matters and enjoys prying into other matters that are not of their concern. They officiously assert their authority to look into matters that are not of their concern. Such are not Elders in the Church but believers who do not submit to the authority of the Church and want to do things their own way.

Such believers spurn the laws of God (Leviticus 19:16) at times and are a law unto themselves. Some modern believers act as judge and jury in the matters of the Church and are lauded as discerning in their online ministry. Such believers are idle spiritually as they have nothing constructive to do in the work of the Church and rather spend time criticizing, critiquing and spreading rumours of others. When other believers have a failure, instead of having godly sorrow and trying to help, they enjoy talking about it in a derogatory way to others. Shepherd of Hermas said, "First, do not speak evil of anyone, and do not listen with pleasure to anyone who speaks evil of another. If you do listen, you will share in the sin of the one who speaks evil, if you believe the slander you hear. For if you believe it, you will also have something to say against your brother. Thus you will be guilty of the sin of the slanderer." Paul the Apostles admonition to "not associate with them" (2 Thessalonians 3:14) can be good advice for us as believers to not listen to and entertain someone who gossips, slanders and speaks of others sins publicly. It takes an audience for something to be heard, may God's people be ruthless towards not hearing gossip, slander and other evil speaking. Heavenly Father, make us sensitive to this sin in our age, give us the resolution not to be a partaker in the sin of speaking evil of other brothers and sisters. Amen.


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