WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 You know, one of the most cherished freedoms that we have in this country is the freedom of speech. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:12.580 You know it's part of our Constitution, the First Amendment. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:15.720 A part of the First Amendment goes like this. 00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:20.059 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:24.580 or prohibiting the free exercise thereof 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:28.920 or abridging the freedom of speech. 00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:30.900 And that goes on. 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:35.700 And it does not have abridging the freedom of speech underlined. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:44.060 I did that to emphasize this is a part of the Constitution of the United States of America. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:48.799 It is one of our most cherished rights. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:54.920 No one can stop us from going out there on the street 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:58.320 and just telling everybody what we think and how we feel. 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:05.700 We can make fools of ourselves, and many people do, with that freedom. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:15.500 But as Christians, we need to remember that we live under a higher authority than that Constitution. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:19.980 Jesus made it clear to His followers, 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:29.980 If you're going to follow me, you've got to surrender not only your rights, but your life. 00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:34.079 Look at how Jesus said it in Luke chapter 9. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:38.259 And He said to all, all who were there, 00:01:38.259 --> 00:01:49.519 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:55.060 Taking up his cross daily, that phrase is talking about dying to self. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:56.959 A cross is an instrument of death. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:01.359 So Jesus said, if you want to be my disciple, if you want to follow me, 00:02:02.899 --> 00:02:04.679 then you've got to deny yourself. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:06.000 It can't be about you. 00:02:07.119 --> 00:02:09.500 You know, Jesus is one who made it very, very clear. 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:12.699 To be my follower, you're going to be about me. 00:02:13.959 --> 00:02:15.939 You're going to be about the Father's will. 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:18.459 Or you won't be my disciple. 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:25.340 You've got to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, die daily, and follow me. 00:02:26.100 --> 00:02:33.100 He said something similar, but He said a lot more about it in Luke chapter 14, beginning in verse 25. 00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:38.920 I want to come to the end of that section and look at what Jesus said in verse 33. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:44.620 Again, speaking to the crowds, wanting everyone to be clear. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:46.700 This is what's involved. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:47.659 You're going to be my disciple. 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:58.699 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:09.840 So Jesus is telling us very clearly, if you want to be mine, if you want to be a Christian, 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:16.439 then you've got to make a total commitment of your life. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:18.699 You're holding nothing back. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:24.859 You've got to make a total commitment of your life to live under my authority. 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:28.919 And that includes even our speech. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:44.739 We as Christians, living under the authority of Jesus Christ, we do not have the right to just say whatever we think, whatever we feel. 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:54.000 Now, as children of God, God has put His Spirit in us. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:04:01.540 And He so works in us to give us the right kinds of desires. 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:15.699 The Spirit of God works in us to motivate us to want to live a life that pleases Him, that surrenders to the authority of Jesus. 00:04:15.799 --> 00:04:16.300 Excuse me. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:20.920 I love the way Paul put it in Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 and 13. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:21.800 Look at it with me. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:24.500 He's writing to Christians. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.500 Excuse me. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:37.300 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence, but much more in my absence, 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:43.000 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:04:43.780 --> 00:04:49.879 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:55.120 Paul is not telling them to work for your salvation. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:02.120 He's writing to people who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior by faith. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:04.680 They're already Christians. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:10.240 He's telling them to work out their faith. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.240 Work out your salvation. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.699 Put what you believe into practice. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:18.360 In fear and trembling. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:20.180 Don't be casual. 00:05:20.340 --> 00:05:21.160 Don't be flippant. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.060 Be serious. 00:05:22.580 --> 00:05:23.100 Reverential. 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:24.280 Before God even. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:30.900 But then he reminds them, if you're a Christian, as you work out your salvation, 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:34.220 this is not something you've got to force yourself to do. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:39.780 Because the Spirit of God, we're living in you, will cause you to want to. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:48.819 And as you want to, He will enable you to actually develop Christian character. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:59.059 He will enable you to overcome the sinful habits and to start living like a Christian in the various aspects of our lives. 00:05:59.299 --> 00:06:02.099 You know that if you're a Christian from personal experience. 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:05.800 None of us in this room are perfect. 00:06:05.960 --> 00:06:08.520 We're not where we would like to be as Christians. 00:06:09.200 --> 00:06:11.080 But if you look back over what? 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:11.740 Ten years? 00:06:11.820 --> 00:06:12.620 Five years? 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:13.600 One year? 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:21.400 You can see how God has worked in you developing that Christ-like character. 00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:24.120 You can see some progress has been made. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:28.459 If you can't, you need to question what you call salvation. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:31.079 Because Paul says it real clearly here. 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:35.139 God works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:40.160 So we should see evidence in our lives of how God has worked in us like that 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:44.780 to cause us to live a life that pleases Him. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:49.300 Or to be living a life that pleases Him. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:54.079 That'll include our words. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:56.079 You see where I'm going. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:05.759 Proverbs has some memorable ways of describing how the speech of God's people should stand out 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.780 as being different from ungodly people. 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:13.100 Look at this one from Proverbs 29 verse 11. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:19.699 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:25.180 but a wise man quietly holds it back. 00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:29.099 A fool gives full vent to his spirit. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:31.839 A fool just lets you know what all's inside. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.459 No restraint. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:35.939 No filter. 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:37.699 But the wise man, 00:07:38.539 --> 00:07:39.699 he holds it back. 00:07:40.539 --> 00:07:42.599 He knows what he should say and should not say. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:48.300 I want you to listen real carefully to what I'm going to say 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:52.240 because this is not a political statement in any way. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:59.360 The people who are out in protests, 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:03.100 setting fires to cars, 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:08.360 screaming all kinds of profane things 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:11.819 about our new president, 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:21.319 these people are fools 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:26.399 because they are giving full vent 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.579 to their spirit. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:33.100 They are not fools because they don't like Donald Trump. 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:37.960 They are not fools because they want to protest, 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:40.960 because they disagree or say they disagree. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:44.120 What the Word of God says is 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.980 they are acting like fools 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:49.059 by the way that they are screaming and shouting 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:53.799 and just giving full vent to their rage and disagreement. 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:58.500 A wise liberal, 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.159 a wise person, 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:03.599 doesn't even have to be a Christian, 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:07.000 a wise person who despises Donald Trump, 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:11.379 who is opposed to everything he stands for, 00:09:11.719 --> 00:09:12.939 a wise person 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:17.379 will speak that opposition 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:20.099 in a timely, 00:09:20.099 --> 00:09:23.259 in a careful, 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:27.339 in a deliberate kind of way, 00:09:28.339 --> 00:09:30.059 they'll discuss, 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:31.759 they'll debate, 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:36.039 they'll be civil about it. 00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:40.039 As we're going to get into the Scripture, 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:41.899 not just today but in the future, 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.240 it's a fool 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:47.519 who just lets whatever's in out 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:51.539 explodes and erupts on everybody around them. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:55.379 And sometimes, 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.259 let's just be honest, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.259 not everybody in this room, 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.620 but sometimes most of us, 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:02.919 we act like fools, don't we? 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.459 We just let it out. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.199 But wisdom, 00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:13.559 we hold it back. 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:16.419 we think before we speak. 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:18.519 We weigh our words. 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:24.119 We can speak the truth 00:10:24.119 --> 00:10:26.319 as we understand it. 00:10:26.859 --> 00:10:28.879 That is totally the opposite 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:31.319 of what a friend or another person believes, 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:33.760 but we just need to do it 00:10:33.760 --> 00:10:34.540 in the right way, 00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:37.360 with the right attitude, 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:40.440 with the right spirit. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.820 The book of James 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:45.640 is the Proverbs of the New Testament. 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:48.480 He describes the danger 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.540 of an unbridled tongue 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:51.640 in terms of a wildfire. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:54.200 Look in James 3, verse 5. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.460 How great a forest 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:58.200 is set ablaze 00:10:58.200 --> 00:11:00.040 by such a small fire. 00:11:02.020 --> 00:11:04.340 Our words matter. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.660 However they come out, 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.320 wherever they come out, 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:09.480 our words matter 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.500 when we have personal 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.300 one-on-one conversations. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.860 Our words matter 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.980 when we speak to one another 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:15.680 on the telephone. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.740 When we communicate 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:20.020 by email or text or tweet. 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.560 Words matter 00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:23.420 that you put on social media. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.419 It's no different. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.319 It's words of yours 00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:28.599 just in print. 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:31.379 Words matter. 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:33.599 Here's what we need to understand. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.259 A lot of the division, 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.779 the hostility, 00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:41.839 the bad relationships 00:11:41.839 --> 00:11:44.419 in our homes, 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.639 at work, 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.259 in churches, 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:50.179 in schools, 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:52.120 in government, 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.019 in our nation, 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:55.479 can be traced 00:11:55.479 --> 00:11:58.240 to people's unbridled tongue. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:00.759 To people 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:02.479 not thinking 00:12:02.479 --> 00:12:03.559 before they speak. 00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:06.679 People not speaking 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.599 in a timely, 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:09.159 appropriate, 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.659 controlled 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:12.719 kind of way. 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:16.579 Part of the problem, 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:19.420 we just don't think 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:20.300 seriously enough 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:21.460 about our speech. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.960 you know, 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.580 we know, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.660 we know, 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.040 we know that 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:30.379 stealing is bad. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.180 We know that 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.580 attacking someone 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:35.940 and beating them up, 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.180 killing someone 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.220 is bad. 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:42.680 We need to also understand 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:44.040 that we can beat people up, 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.340 we can hurt people, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.580 we can maim 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:47.379 people 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.540 in various ways 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.879 with our words. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.220 Let me make a 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.059 clarification here. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.379 If you're mad at me, 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.259 I'd much rather 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.360 you just tell me, 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.399 even cuss me out 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.299 than try to beat me up 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:58.860 or shoot me, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.100 okay? 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.980 There is a big difference 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.759 in the two. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.720 So don't misunderstand. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:08.919 Last week, 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.240 we began looking 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:10.700 at why we need 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.179 to be serious 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:12.019 about our speech. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.080 We looked at the power 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.799 of our words, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.940 we looked at the revealing 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.200 nature of our words. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:16.980 Today, 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:17.500 I want us to look 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.659 at the negative side 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.279 of our speech 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.159 and focus on the wrong 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:20.700 use of words. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:21.679 We're going to start that. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.659 What I want to look at today 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:25.039 is the twin towers 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:27.379 of destructive speech, 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.580 gossip and slander. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.299 These words are often 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.360 used synonymously. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:35.159 We may just use, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.000 talk about gossip 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.519 and slander, 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.480 we're basically talking 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.200 about the same thing. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:39.759 Sometimes, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.659 it's really that way 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.100 in the Bible. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:43.799 But sometimes, 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.460 they are used 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:44.919 to convey 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.259 one particular difference 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.259 that I want to point out. 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:50.480 Slander is hurtful speech 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.080 about a person 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.000 that's not true. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.600 Slander's not true. 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.840 Slander is repeating things 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.439 about someone 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:58.539 that is false. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.620 It involves making 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.539 false charges 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.419 against a person 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.919 that defames 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.379 that person, 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.159 their character, 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.100 their reputation. 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.179 If you went out 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.840 from here today, 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.860 this week, 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.439 and you told people 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:13.460 that I beat my wife, 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:15.019 you would be making 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:16.580 slanderous charges 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.800 against me. 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:19.360 You would have 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.860 slandered me 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:22.500 and defamed my character. 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:24.080 You may be thinking 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.580 to yourself, 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.560 how do I know 00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:27.220 that's not true? 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.040 I'm alive, 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:29.480 aren't I? 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.280 That's how you know that. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.120 Lisa can shoot a pistol. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.560 In fact, 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.360 not too long ago, 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:38.300 she shot the actual 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.580 center out 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.360 of the target. 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.100 I don't mean 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.159 she shot the middle 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.639 of the target, 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.860 bullseye one time. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.240 She shot the bullseye 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.019 so many times, 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.580 it tore up the paper 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.399 in the middle. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.139 I am an idiot 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:51.960 about some things, 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.919 but I'm not going 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.639 to mess with her. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.120 Do you know how 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:58.960 Proverbs describes 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.960 a slanderer? 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.180 Look at it. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.220 Proverbs 10. 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:06.480 Whoever utters slander 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.560 is a fool. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:10.319 You can't get any 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.119 simpler than that, 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:11.459 can you? 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.679 Now why would such 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.359 a person be called 00:15:14.359 --> 00:15:14.719 a fool? 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.179 Because they know 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:16.939 what they're saying 00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:17.879 is not true. 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.599 If you spread slander, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.739 you're talking about 00:15:20.739 --> 00:15:21.339 things you know 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:21.899 is not true 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.419 about someone, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.299 trying to defame them, 00:15:24.979 --> 00:15:26.439 tear up their reputation, 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.699 you're a fool 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.579 because you may 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.339 get found out. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.379 The truth may 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.059 come forward, 00:15:33.119 --> 00:15:34.000 eventually it will. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.239 That's what 00:15:35.239 --> 00:15:36.259 Proverbs is talking about. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.379 Anyone who 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.119 intentionally tries 00:15:39.119 --> 00:15:39.539 to hurt another 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.299 person's reputation 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.399 by spreading slander 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.099 is a fool. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.799 Now let's look 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.519 at the word gossip. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.819 It is sometimes 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:49.359 defined differently. 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.679 Gossip is hurtful 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.979 speech about a person 00:15:52.979 --> 00:15:54.019 that may or may 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.679 not be true. 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.239 Gossip, 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.239 it may be the real 00:15:59.239 --> 00:15:59.619 deal, 00:16:00.119 --> 00:16:01.299 or it may not be. 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:02.979 Gossip involves 00:16:02.979 --> 00:16:03.899 repeating personal, 00:16:04.119 --> 00:16:04.799 private information 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.599 about someone 00:16:05.599 --> 00:16:07.839 that should not 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:08.339 be repeated. 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.539 Whether it's true 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.000 or not, 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.259 it's just such 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.019 of a personal 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.039 and private matter 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.620 it does not need 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.039 to be repeated. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.079 Proverbs reveals 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:19.359 the kind of damage 00:16:19.359 --> 00:16:20.699 that gossip does. 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.219 First, 00:16:21.979 --> 00:16:23.559 a gossip betrays 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.799 a confidence, 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.579 but a trustworthy 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:29.459 person keeps a secret. 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:31.019 That's from the NIV. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.340 The ESV, 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.620 English Standard Version, 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.500 uses the word slander 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.939 there instead of gossip, 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.919 which shows how 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.620 these two words 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.899 are closely related 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.199 a lot of times 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:42.019 in Scripture. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.199 Proverbs also says, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.939 gossip separates 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:47.519 close friends. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:48.939 These two verses, 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.439 look at them. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.759 They reveal the kind 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.159 of damage that gossip 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.899 can do. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.379 But for some reason, 00:16:57.079 --> 00:16:57.699 I mean, gossip 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:59.620 can destroy a relationship, 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.819 destroy trust. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.559 But for some reason, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.839 many people, 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.960 maybe most people, 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.619 don't see any harm, 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.319 don't see any real harm 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.759 in gossip. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.460 In fact, 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.779 we all do it sometimes, 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.139 don't we? 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.000 There may be a few people 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.599 here that 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:23.240 you really have worked on it, 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.920 you understand the truth 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.339 about it, 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.519 and you don't. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.799 But most of us, 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:31.079 even if we know better, 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.480 even if we most of the time 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.299 do better, 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.619 we backslide. 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.919 And we usually introduce 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.700 our gossip 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:41.099 in innocent-sounding ways, 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.500 like, 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.259 have you heard? 00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:45.480 Did you know? 00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:48.399 You ever said this? 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.620 I don't know if it's true, 00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:50.160 but, 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:52.080 you go ahead and tell it. 00:17:53.580 --> 00:17:54.280 Here's one, 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.900 this will get most of us. 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:58.980 I probably shouldn't say this, 00:17:59.519 --> 00:17:59.820 but. 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:02.800 And here, 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:04.940 we're all good southerners, 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:05.880 aren't we? 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.680 Most of us. 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:08.880 And we know 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:11.200 that if we first say, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.380 bless his heart, 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.580 we can say whatever 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.120 we want to do, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.299 whatever we want to say. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.060 Bless his heart, 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:19.420 he's just a sorry writer. 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.519 Bless his heart, 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:22.080 Mike's just an idiot. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.720 You know that? 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.340 We do those things. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.120 I want you to think. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.220 We do those things. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:35.839 But our gossip 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:40.279 serves no good purpose. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.120 It really exposes 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:45.960 us, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.960 when we repeat it, 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:51.259 as being troublemakers, 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.220 to some degree. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.120 It really says 00:18:55.120 --> 00:18:56.480 that we don't care 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:59.220 about the person 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:01.480 that we're talking about. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.799 And rest assured, 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.120 if you know someone 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.980 who's just a gossip, 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.299 and they're always 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.799 telling you about somebody 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.620 or wanting to tell you 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.200 about somebody, 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.740 they're talking about you 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.599 when you're not there. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.960 It's just in their makeup. 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.900 Why are we so quick 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:19.440 to repeat or listen to gossip? 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.140 Bottom line is, 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.480 we like it. 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:26.019 And the book of Proverbs 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.860 points it out. 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:27.819 Look at it. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:30.099 The words of a whisperer 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:32.319 somebody who talks 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.639 about somebody 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.319 behind their back. 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.819 Somebody who doesn't 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.139 want other people 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.039 to know what they're saying. 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.740 The words of a whisperer 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:42.719 are like delicious morsels. 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.079 They go down 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.839 to the inner parts 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.299 of the body. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.719 Let's all admit it. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.740 There are times 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:50.599 we like gossip. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.879 We like to hear it 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.779 or we like to repeat it 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.339 or both. 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:56.219 The negative information, 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.099 the juicy things 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.399 about people. 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:01.539 The reason is, 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:03.019 we have a fallen, 00:20:03.219 --> 00:20:03.839 sinful nature. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.639 And that fallen, 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.819 sinful human nature 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.719 considers gossip 00:20:10.719 --> 00:20:12.819 delicious morsels. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.659 We don't even have 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.539 to put ketchup on it, 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:15.779 do we? 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.199 We can just say it. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.000 It's good by itself. 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:23.039 Now, even though gossip 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.839 is good to us, 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.559 it's pleasurable to us, 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.079 it's not good to God. 00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:34.439 Proverbs says it tastes good to us, 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:37.039 but it sickens God. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:41.439 He hates such speech. 00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:44.619 I do not have it in my, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.679 on the outline, 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.959 but I want you to look 00:20:46.959 --> 00:20:48.399 at Romans chapter 1. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.539 If you want to turn to it, 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.179 I'm going to read it. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.079 In Romans chapter 1, 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:54.480 Paul is, 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.519 okay, 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.500 we do have good, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.179 I'm going to quit talking 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:58.039 about those guys 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.740 in the balcony. 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:01.299 Tim did a good job today. 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.720 Thank you very much. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.099 Paul is writing about 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.220 the sinfulness 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.919 of humanity. 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:10.019 He goes into great detail 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.480 beginning in Romans chapter 1, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.139 verse 18, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.099 about how 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.779 even people who don't 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.319 have the law of God, 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:16.679 Jews, 00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:17.539 he's talking about then, 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.639 God reveals himself 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.179 to everybody 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:21.339 in various ways, 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:21.959 through nature, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.819 various ways, 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:25.539 but everybody rejects 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.899 what God does 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:28.059 reveal about himself. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.079 We sin. 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:32.119 We reject, 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.159 we reject the truth 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.699 about God. 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:35.179 We reject his truth, 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:35.539 period. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.259 And the more we do that, 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.399 the more God just says, 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:38.879 okay. 00:21:40.199 --> 00:21:41.919 He just gives us over 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:43.639 to that sinful mind 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:46.259 and way of life. 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:50.200 And in verse 21, 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.440 29, 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:55.680 here's how Paul describes 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:59.400 sinful humanity. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.660 They were filled 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.460 with all manner 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.519 of unrighteousness, 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.440 evil, 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.720 covetousness, 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.400 or greed, 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.519 malice. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.559 They are full of envy, 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.240 murder, 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.200 strife, 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:11.980 deceit, 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.720 maliciousness, 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:15.039 and look what's 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.700 in this list. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.480 They are gossips, 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.140 slanderers, 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.380 haters of God. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.180 I know gossip 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.819 and slander 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.140 is wrong, 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.740 it's sinful. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:33.799 But without 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.660 reading it like this, 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.839 I would never 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:38.859 categorize it 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:41.859 in the same list 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:45.019 as haters of God 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.559 and murder. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.140 But it's there 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.900 in God's word 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.759 because it's sin, 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:55.500 because God hates it, 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:58.319 because God will punish 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:01.220 those whose lives 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.139 are characterized 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:04.079 in any kind 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.500 of sinful way. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.980 We need to ask God 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.379 if we're Christians, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.279 and that is something 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.359 we struggle with. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.460 We know it's wrong, 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.899 we don't want to do it, 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:19.240 but we struggle with it. 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.000 We need to ask God 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.079 to help us 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:24.299 to change our taste buds. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.099 Let's ask Him 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.779 to start now. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.879 We need to set up 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.519 some guards 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.379 for ourself 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:32.180 to avoid 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.579 repeating gossip 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.079 and slander. 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.680 Here's one way 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.420 to evaluate 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.420 whether we ought 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.240 to pass on 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.319 certain information, 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.779 whether it's 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.259 gossip or slander. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:46.259 When you hear something, 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.599 find out something, 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.720 and you're tempted 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.740 to pass it on, 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.220 ask these questions 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.000 of yourself. 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.019 Is what I'm about 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.819 to say true? 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.900 Is what I have heard, 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.119 and I want to say, 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.960 is it true? 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.079 If it's not, 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.000 or you don't know, 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.960 don't say it. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.819 If you don't know, 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.400 forget it, 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.160 drop it. 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.960 Number two, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.379 is what I'm about 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.680 to say necessary? 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.000 If it's true, 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:17.240 ask next, 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.420 is it necessary? 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:20.080 If you think it is, 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.240 explain to yourself 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.759 why. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.519 How will it help 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.259 the person 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.060 I'm going to talk about? 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.580 How will it help 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.279 the situation? 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:31.300 If you think it's true, 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.460 or if you know it's true, 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.920 think it's necessary, 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.860 third question, 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.160 is what I'm about 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.500 to say motivated 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.580 by love? 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.519 Would you want 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.960 that person 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.539 to say something 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.660 similar about you? 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:47.279 Can you fulfill 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.400 the second great commandment, 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.460 love your neighbor 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.340 as yourself, 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.900 by repeating that? 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.400 The next time 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.860 you're faced 00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.420 with a decision 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.019 about repeating 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.420 information about someone, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.200 stop and ask 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.300 these three questions. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:02.920 Is it true? 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.000 Is it necessary? 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.540 Is repeating it 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:07.160 an expression of love? 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:09.400 I need to do that. 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.820 And I'm going to guess 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.660 that you do too. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.820 Most of us anyway. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.759 Now there are some things 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:19.019 that are not pleasant 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:21.380 that do need to be 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.180 passed on. 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.640 If a young girl 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.580 came to you 00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:30.620 and explains to you 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:32.340 very seriously, 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.140 confidentially, 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:38.080 that Mr. Jones 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:39.600 has molested her, 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:43.179 should you keep 00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:44.039 that to yourself? 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.899 Let's ask 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.779 these three questions. 00:25:47.459 --> 00:25:48.219 Is the information 00:25:48.219 --> 00:25:48.599 true? 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.240 Well, if you don't 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.819 have any reason 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.679 to think it's not, 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.480 something like that, 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:53.939 you've got to 00:25:53.939 --> 00:25:54.939 accept it's true. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.779 Is it necessary 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.619 to say something? 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.240 Yes. 00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:00.879 Morally 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:02.179 and legally. 00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.679 You cannot let 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.659 something like that go. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.660 A lot of times 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.420 it does 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:09.060 get let go. 00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:11.779 I didn't think 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.140 about this 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.700 in the first service 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.000 but I'm going to 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.420 say it here. 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.080 That's something 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:15.100 we will not let go. 00:26:15.300 --> 00:26:15.920 We will not sleep 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.540 under the floor, 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.279 under the table 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.180 in any shape, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.700 form or fashion. 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.860 We take all 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.660 that kind of stuff 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.420 seriously. 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:27.320 And if you know 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:29.519 somebody is a member 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.300 of our church, 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.720 has joined our church 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:34.300 and it appears 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:35.779 that they want 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.480 to work with our 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.960 preschool or children 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.840 or youth, 00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:40.400 but you know 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:43.800 they're a sex offender. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.200 You tell me 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.900 and you tell me 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.440 before the sun 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.200 goes down today, 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:49.160 that is not gossip. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.460 That is right. 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:53.120 That will protect 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.900 our children. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.039 That person can be 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.740 forgiven and made 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.480 right with God. 00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.600 That person is not 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.480 going to be given 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.400 a chance to work 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.019 with children 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.880 in this church. 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.580 That is what's right. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.980 There's times 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.960 it's not gossip 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.880 that which is true 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.340 that would be hurtful. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.259 It's necessary 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.180 and it's loving 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:14.000 to protect children. 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.220 It is loving, 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.039 it is right 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:19.200 to protect children. 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.880 Now before we 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.440 leave this subject 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.080 we need to understand 00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.799 that the problem 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.860 with gossip and slander 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:25.059 is not limited 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.180 to just repeating it. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.680 Listening and tolerating it 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.059 make us involved 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.519 in the evil. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.819 We need to be careful 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.920 what we listen to, 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:37.420 what we sort of feed on. 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.279 Ray Ortlund 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.880 is a pastor 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.640 who wrote about 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.880 this passage, 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:43.660 wrote a book, 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.200 commentary. 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.620 He describes 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.039 the person 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.200 who habitually listens 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.779 to gossip 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.500 and slander 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.899 like this. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.539 Look at it. 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.259 A person who listens. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.200 A person can become 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.379 a garbage collector. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.200 Someone in the group 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.240 becomes the one 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.819 to whom, 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.680 look at this, 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:03.079 disgruntled people go 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.720 because that person 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.579 will listen 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:07.240 and sympathize 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.279 and be a shoulder 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.220 to cry on 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.859 and a rallying point 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.579 for complaints 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:14.000 and a hero 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.579 to those 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.079 with hurt feelings. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.619 And that listener 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.759 becomes a bigger problem 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.279 in the group 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.460 than the talkers. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.199 He's not talking 00:28:23.199 --> 00:28:23.859 about someone 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.899 who has just 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:28.039 a compassionate heart, 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.299 who's an encourager, 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.419 a sympathizer. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.299 He's not talking 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.939 about someone 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.799 who just tries 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.619 to be a friend 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.720 and a helper 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.019 to people who are hurting. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.619 Look at what 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.279 he's saying there. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.319 He's talking 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.159 about someone 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:43.080 who's just like 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.759 a magnet 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:45.200 to the negative, 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.340 critical, 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.340 whining, 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.320 complaining, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:50.300 gossiping people 00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:51.600 around them. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.740 Don't be that person. 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.100 Ask God 00:28:59.100 --> 00:28:59.540 to help you 00:28:59.540 --> 00:29:00.259 to change 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.860 if you are 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.440 that person. 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.920 We need to 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.160 always be on guard 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.779 that we don't 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.220 become this kind 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:09.019 of garbage collectors. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:11.200 We need to learn 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.639 to just 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.740 walk away 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.240 from people 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.900 if necessary. 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.639 Don't show 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.420 interest. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.519 Maybe even just say, 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.259 I don't want to hear it. 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.639 It's better 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:22.579 to offend somebody 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.539 by saying to them, 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.619 I don't want to hear it, 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.440 than to offend God 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:28.940 by listening to it 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.400 when you know 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:29.940 you shouldn't. 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.660 There are times 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.039 when we all 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.420 just need to be 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.480 more confrontational. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:37.059 just say 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.680 to somebody, 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.759 I don't want 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.480 to hear it. 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.120 Or 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:43.140 say, 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.559 you know, 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.680 before you talk 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.380 about that person, 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.740 I'll go with you. 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.079 Let's go to that person. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.799 Let's go to that person 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.680 and ask them 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.039 what you're saying. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.539 Is it true? 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.779 That'll close 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.279 the mouths 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.000 of a lot of people. 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.599 But gossip 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.059 and slander, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.940 they're serious 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.059 problems. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.319 There's serious 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:05.700 problems 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.819 in many people's lives, 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.839 even some Christians. 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:10.240 Always remember 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.759 that gossip, 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.740 slander, 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.860 it only hurts people. 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.720 It doesn't serve 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.680 any good purpose. 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.960 We need to learn 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.779 to stop 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:21.559 listening to it. 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.860 Stop 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:24.299 repeating it. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.259 Any kind of 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.799 harmful speech. 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.240 Our words 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.740 matter. 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.819 They're going to matter 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:33.099 on the day 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.620 of judgment. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.000 I want to repeat 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.599 the way I closed 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:38.259 last week 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.980 with what Jesus 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.799 said about 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.000 our words being 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.360 one of the criteria 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:44.420 for judgment 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.339 at the end 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.140 of our lives. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.339 This is serious. 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.120 Something we need 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:48.900 to take to heart. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.400 So read it with you. 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.779 Jesus said, 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.460 I tell you, 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:54.259 on the day of judgment, 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.899 people will give 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:57.480 account for every 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.660 careless word 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.500 they speak. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.879 For by your words 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.899 you will be justified. 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.700 And by your words 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:08.240 you will be condemned. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:11.500 That's a sobering statement 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.700 that we need to take 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.220 to heart. 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.079 Would you pray with me now? 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.319 Dear God, 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:22.000 Dear God, 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.039 convict us 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:25.500 of the seriousness 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:27.439 of our words. 00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:30.619 Father, right now, 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.859 convict us 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.960 if we are guilty 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:35.199 of being gossipers 00:31:35.199 --> 00:31:37.059 or slanderers. 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:40.019 and if we are, 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.839 help us to truly 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.299 confess it to you 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.679 and repent of it 00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:45.460 and seek your forgiveness. 00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:48.279 Help us, dear God, 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:51.759 to start being on guard 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:56.720 and not listening to it 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:59.059 or repeating it. 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.179 Dear God, 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:08.660 help us to understand 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.680 that if we're Christians, 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:13.400 by doing this 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.580 or not doing that, 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:16.120 that's not what saves us. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.320 Help us all 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:20.039 to understand 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.620 that salvation 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:23.340 is a gift 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.440 of your grace, 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:25.480 your undeserved 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.400 love and favor 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.980 that we receive 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.680 through faith in Jesus 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.860 plus nothing else. 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:32.340 Dear God, 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.140 help us to understand 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.480 that we're forgiven 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.160 because Jesus 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.779 paid the penalty 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.720 for our sins. 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.059 Help us to see 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.620 that if we truly 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.500 are believers 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.180 in Jesus, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.039 then because your spirit 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.539 is in us, 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.579 we will have 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.200 the right kind 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.819 of desires. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.700 We won't always 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:54.559 act on them, 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:57.120 but you won't let us 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:58.559 just live 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.980 like unbelievers. 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.059 help us. 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.759 Help us to see, 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.240 dear God, 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:06.440 when it comes 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:06.860 to the matters 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.799 of our speech, 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.680 it's your spirit 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.259 who gives us 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.860 the desire 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:12.559 to be obedient 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.779 in these ways. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.140 Help us, 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:16.480 dear God, 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.079 to seek 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:19.339 your help 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:21.140 to do it, 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.900 to make the changes 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.539 we need to make. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:23.920 Lord, 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.360 if there are people 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.759 in this room 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.559 who are not Christians 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.539 and they've been convicted 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.079 this morning 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:28.160 of this particular sin 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.740 in their life, 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.840 help them to understand 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:31.279 that the way 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.180 they need to respond 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.500 is to come to you 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.360 and just confess, 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.080 I am a sinner. 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.620 I am separated 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.820 from you by my sin. 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.779 Help that man 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.140 or woman 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:41.820 or young person 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:43.900 to turn from their sin, 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.800 change their mind 00:33:44.800 --> 00:33:45.279 about it, 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.120 seek your help 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:47.080 to stop it. 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.019 Help them to see, 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.960 to understand, 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:51.900 to believe 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.759 that when Jesus 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.960 died on that cross, 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.720 He actually took 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.880 the punishment 00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:58.020 that they deserve. 00:33:59.040 --> 00:33:59.480 So help them 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:00.180 to trust Jesus 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.980 and call upon Him 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.160 to be their Savior. 00:34:02.580 --> 00:34:03.300 Help them to truly 00:34:03.300 --> 00:34:04.580 surrender their lives 00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.020 to Him, 00:34:05.300 --> 00:34:06.380 to His authority 00:34:06.380 --> 00:34:08.740 in every aspect 00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.559 of their lives. 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.240 Help all of us, 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:12.700 dear God, 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.400 as Christians 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:16.079 to renew that commitment 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.640 if we need to 00:34:16.640 --> 00:34:17.140 this morning. 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.740 In an attitude of prayer, 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.740 you just listen to the Lord 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.539 and respond to Him 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.300 as He speaks. 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.019 I'd be happy to pray 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.940 with you here at the front. 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:27.220 That would be helpful 00:34:27.220 --> 00:34:28.000 and meaningful to you. 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.000 I would like to do that. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.659 But the important thing 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:31.619 is that you listen to God 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.599 and obey Him 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.240 during this time.