Today’s ONE THING: What are you saying about others?

• Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
  17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Are you committing murder? It is one thing for someone to purposefully destroy their good name and reputation, but it is another for someone else to do so.

That is the tragedy that occurred in the Garden: Satan sullied the reputation of God by casting doubt on His motives. The result was death: first the death of God’s reputation in Adam and Eve’s eyes, second the death of their ability to relate to God and finally their actual death.

As I wrote yesterday, one of the most precious and valuable things we have is our reputation. For someone to intentionally sully that reputation by slander and gossip is paramount to murder.

We must be careful what we say about people and how we represent them – we hold their lives in our hands. Remember, something can be true, but not the truth. Be mindful that we can see but not perceive. The safest route is to give people the benefit of doubt. If people want to ruin their reputation, that is their choice, but let us not be one to help them.