Rumor Has It

James wrote these words of God about how powerful our speech can be. We all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control the entire body as well. The tongue is a fire. It represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of the body. It sets fire to the course of human existence, and is set on fire from hell. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.

Rumor had it twenty-two years after Abraham Lincoln was buried that his coffin was empty. It spread across the country. A select group was commissioned to open his coffin to prove it either way. Fourteen years later, his coffin was opened again before more witnesses. The rumor which captured many in our nation was proved false both times. How can people be so easily swayed?

Could the sheer amount of people saying it, or believing it, contribute to believing false rumors.

That was a divided period for our nation. Today, we are divided again, and in part to loose lips.

Let us work very hard to speak truth only, and cover sad and bad facts from those who are not part of the problem or the solution. Let us ask the gossip, "may I quote you on that, when I contact the person you are talking about?" Or, "let us go and talk to that person ASAP, so that we can see if they will let us help them. You clearly are concerned." Let's try to remember to ask, even stopping them mid-sentence, "Do I need to know this information?" Or, "if this is second-hand information, please go back to the eye-witness with this. You two can try to help the person." Finally, ask God for the courage to say, "I am very disappointed in you for telling me this information."

It sounds like these examples, told to people who are not part of the problem or the solution.

Have you heard that Second Baptist is about to split?

Brother Better-Than-You found out that Fourth St. Bible Church is apostate now; they

have drums on the platform now.

They say that she is stuck up because her parents have a lot of money.

I was told that they had to get married.

More than one person has told me he finally cheated his way to the top.

CNN said that Trump conspired with the Russians to steal the last election. If he loses the

next one, he is making plans to stay in power.

It is obvious that there is systemic racism in the police departments.

These kinds of comments still divide churches and nations. Let us unite on truth spoken in love, at the right time and to the right people.

Now, speaking of talking; let us now talk to God in prayer for our nation.