Gossip: The Spirit That Devours

As I walked down this dark, and menacing street; I could see a human figure standing in a house. As I looked closer, I noticed that the person was bleeding all over, it had a few missing limbs, and the body had missing flesh like leprosy. At first I was alarmed because I wanted to help someone who I thought was injured. It cried out to beckon me to come closer but it looked so frightening that I stayed away at a distance. It was something out of a horror movie. I felt sorry for it but it had a knife in its hand, and knew that I would fall victim to it if I came closer. Somehow I knew it would devour me because it had cannibalized itself.

My spirit shuddered at the thought of this hideous creature, and I woke up frightened from this dream. As I lay in bed wondering why I would have such horrible dream; God began to show me what it all meant. The person you saw the Holy Spirit explained, "Is a wounded Christian." Every time it gossips, and slanders others it devours itself. That is why it is missing limbs. It has cut off people in the body of Christ. The body continuously bleeds because of the injuries it inflicts upon itself. It uses self pity to lure you into comforting it but it will devour you as well. Don't come near to the spirit that devours. It is the sin of slander, gossip, and those who bring division.

By now you may be wondering how this may fall in line with the bible or still be trying to get this frightening picture out of your head. The bible says, But if you bite, and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:15). Unfortunately, this is a recurring problem among believers. I have been behind many closed door leadership meetings which turned into witch hunts, and gossip sessions which cannibalize upon the weaker members of the body of Christ. It starts with suspicion, then divulging personal information about them which is gossip, and then finishes them off with some slander. It is all justified in the name of protecting leadership from these in-subordinates, and free thinkers. Those who upset the apple cart, and refuse to keep in line with the unspoken protocols of leadership, get targeted first.

I once sat in a church, and saw yellow barrels of toxic waste with that radioactive sign on them. I was wondering why I was seeing this. I later found out that the members of the church were speaking against leadership, and the leadership was speaking against the members. It was a toxic environment, and full of contamination. I made sure to leave that place quickly lest I too be caught up in all the drama. On another occasion I left another ministry because the person in charge kept judging people I knew personally. They would send me written articles about them that discredited their ministry, when in reality most of the things written were hearsay or libel. "Why can't you just meet them in person or make the attempt to see if these things are true," I would ask. They would then tell me that they felt a check in their spirit, and would write them off. That's what gossip does. It prevents others from seeing that person for who they really are because it has distorted their image to others. Before we continue let's define gossip: It is the personal information or private matters of others. Whether it be true or false; it is nobody's business. Even though gossip is damaging to people's reputation...slander is malicious lies made up to discredit others.

My friend, you have to be very careful with your words. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. Proverbs 17:9 When I see people making it their job to expose others in the body or find it their duty to write long articles about all the faults of others, I know that reconciliation, and restoration is not the process they are seeking. A self righteous attitude, and a religious spirit is what motivates people to speak hurtful words. Fault finding, and slander is rooted in pride. If you make careful examination of the scriptures, you will find that Jesus' ministry was always maligned by the religious community. They hated that He challenged their tradition, and religious protocols. He started a love revolution that was not focused on outward appearance but inner heart attitudes.

You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue. Psalm 52:3-4

In James it says that the tongue is unruly member that sets things on fire. The only way to stop a fire is to put it out by not spreading it. Jesus taught that it wasn't what comes into our mouths that defiles us but what comes out of our mouths. What comes out of our mouths, comes out of hearts. The bible exhorts us to be, "Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." (Hebrews 12:15). See more on bitterness here

We need to be very careful who we are listening to. You may not be spreading the gossip but if you are listening to it you are being defiled by the dirt others are dishing out. If you want a clever way to stop gossip or slander here is something you can do to stop it. Get everyone to pray for the person they are talking about. It works every time. Not only does it cleanse the atmosphere of the spiritual contamination it also cleanses everyone from being defiled. Remember God did not call us to be toxic waste dumps so people can dump their trash into our spirit. This principle applies to complaining, negativity, criticism, dirty jokes, and reviling (abusive speech). See more on reviling here.

Be bold, and don't be afraid to let people know that you refuse to listen to their defiling words. I once knew somebody who was struggling with bisexuality, and they kept getting into details of all their perverse behavior. Even though I was counseling them, I realized that their words were full of deceit, and seduction. The Holy Spirit told me to stop talking to them because their words were defiling my spirit. If people won't repent from their behavior after they have been told what God's Word says; then move on. You have no obligation to continue to put up with someone's behavior, especially if they show no signs of trying to make a change. There will always be two kinds of people: Those who will fall, feel bad, and try to get better or those who fall, and make excuses for their sin. If they are making excuses for their sin then allow the Holy Spirit to bring correction to their lives. Getting a spanking from God doesn't feel good but it works the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

One more thing that I would like to address, and that's the legal side of gossip or slander. If you write something that is untrue about others, and you put it on Facebook or online; then you may be breaking the law. Libel is the crime of publishing untrue spoken words about others. It is against the law to misrepresent someone's character in such a way that it hurts their ministry or business. You can be sued for this especially if it is done maliciously causing a loss of income or business for that person. You better think twice about what you decide to publish online. If you want to address an issue using people's names isn't necessary. Just state your position, and let public opinion decide what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. As Christians we should uphold higher standards.

Correction should not be done in public forums unless you have followed the protocol of going to that person first, and even then it should never be done in front of nonbelievers. Jesus did not make it his job to go and correct everyone that He felt was off base. He lived His life as an example, and He preached the truth. When He corrected people it was done face to face. Believe me, He had no problem calling the Pharisees hypocrites or a brood of vipers. However, the reason Jesus had such a problem with the religious community was over this statement right here, "But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless." (Matthew 12:7) In other words the Pharisees' biggest hang up was that they showed little mercy, and had condemning attitudes towards others. Don't get caught up in this religious attitude. Search your heart now, and repent if you have seen yourself in this article. God will receive those of a contrite heart. Amen?

Let's pray:

Father, I have been very judgmental towards others and I ask you to forgive me. Help me never participate in conversations that don't edify anyone or glorify you. Give me a heart of mercy, and love towards others. Change me, and help me be more like Jesus everyday in Jesus name, Amen. 

Official Website: http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com/

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Dead Flies In The Ointment

Have you ever left a sweet drink or water unattended and right before you were about to take a drink, you noticed a dead fly in it? The thought is quite repulsive to even think about. Yet this morning I clearly heard the Lord say, "There is dead fly in the ointment." As I heard this, I had a vision of a dead fly floating on top of oil, not just any oil but anointing oil. Curious, I looked up the scripture because it came to my memory. "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor." (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

So what is God saying? Are you able to pick out the flies or discern what is not true or part of the anointing? Can you tell the counterfeit from the real? Can you discern what is coming from the soul of man or from the heart of God? For I forewarn you that there will come false brethren among you and those who proclaim to know Christ. There will be those who will be sent among you who are been given the ability to deceive by the realm of darkness. Even now the anti-Christ spirit is operating in the highest levels of office in this nation but some have not been able to discern it. The anti-Christ spirit has been released in the media and has been infecting all those who sit under its influence. Spirits of perversion and lust permeate the air waves. This is why the music must get turned off. The TV must get turned off. The air waves are carrying seductive spiritual activity and you must be able to discern it. The anti-Christ spirit is the way of Cain and it seeks to murder righteous Abel. It was present in Jesus day and it is now increasing in our day. Righteousness and good fruit will be persecuted. They will call good, evil and evil, good. Cain murdered Abel because his works were not approved by God. 

Religion and the anti-Christ spirit are not very different. That is why they work well together. Religion and politics seek control. They lust after power and money. It was the religious who sought after Jesus' death and they used politics to achieve their goals. Even now there some among us who pose as sheep but are ravenous wolves. They use religion as a means to make you think they are part of us but are only using God as a means for their own agendas. Don't be fooled. The Germans were fooled by Hitler. He promised them a "Positive Christianity" and ended up murdering those who elected him. Hitler did not initially remove "Christianity" from Germany. He modified it. He changed the way people perceived Jesus. He incorporated religion as a means to deceive the masses. They were not able to pick out the flies out of the ointment.

What are these flies you may ask? It self interest, greed, control, popularity, conceit and lust after worldly pleasures disguised behind Christian platitudes. Many don't realize what they have been sitting under has been tainted. The ointment is tainted by attitudes and motivations that do not come from Jesus' heart. It may look good on the surface but does it sound like something Jesus would say? Do the messengers look anything like Jesus? Does their lifestyle contradict the way Jesus lived? Did Jesus conduct His ministry like they do? Some would dismiss His teachings as "old fashioned" or not relevant, offering you liberty from His commandments. I ask you which one of His commandments should we disobey? Thou shalt not murder or thou shalt not lust in your heart after a woman? 

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

This is why the message of the cross is offensive to those who pretend they are His. It crucifies the nature of men and their selfish motivation. It calls us to serve and not be served. It exposes the flies in the ointment. It uncovers the heart and leaves no room for excuses. The truth of God's unchangeable word confronts the deceitful nature of men. The Holy Spirit takes us into the courtroom of God and convicts us of our deeds declaring them unfit for His kingdom. There He judges the true intention of our hearts. It is there that we drop the act and pretense we have put up in front of others. If we were truly to feel the Holy Spirit's conviction again in church we would be on our knees weeping for the many offenses and hurts we have caused God's heart. However, God's people have sat comfortable in the church without any thought of their lives. They have declared themselves not guilty in the courtroom of God without full examination of their lives in the light of God's Word and conviction of the Holy Spirit. They run from place to place trying to appease the emptiness they feel with conference and motivational speakers. They say God's not angry with us anymore! How would they know, did they ask Him or did they judge their actions by what someone else has said in a book? 

They silenced the voice of the Holy Spirit and made up presumptuous reasons why they live the way they do. They have taken up His job and have decided what is right and wrong. They have become the law givers and judges!

Oh the cross, can only be carried by those who willingly submit to the only lawgiver, judge and justifier of what is good. The cross calls all of humanity to put away all selfish desire and have love dictate the hearts of those who carry it. It sees the faces of all those who say crucify, one day shouting hosanna! It pushes past the crowds, to one objective... to bring others to God's glorious presence! However, it does not paint a pretty picture for those being called to carry it. That would be deception. No friends, the cross must be presented with its rugged wood, splinters and heavy beams. That's how Jesus presented it to His disciples. Never did He mention the ease of following Him. Never did He motivate the crowds with splendor, fame or fortune. Far from that my friend. Instead He challenged them by saying, "Will you leave me too?" He healed the masses not in effort for a campaign to build His own personal empire here on earth. He simply did so out of love. He held unto nothing and so the devil had nothing in Him. Do you know why the devil could take Jesus to the wilderness, then to a high mountain, offer him everything in the world and Jesus was still able to refuse all temptation? Jesus had already resolved that this world was not as important as you and me. The cross is about valuing relationships over things. The cross is a value decision. It is putting God and mankind over self! It is a declaration of triumph over the Adamic nature! The cross is love's greatest victory! Outside of the cross we can never hold onto victory. That is why we must embrace it on a daily basis. Beware of those who offer you a shortcut or a detour from the cross. They will from every side cry save yourself and come down from that cross. It was a thief that shouted that to Jesus. It is a thief (Devil) that shouts that today through books, CD's and even the pulpits of America. He knows that dying to self brings resurrection and victory. Satan dreads the day Christians once again find the true power behind Christianity ~ The Cross.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelations 12:11

Song "The Old Rugged Cross"

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

George Bennard 1913