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

1 Peter 4:15  – If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

Rumours are harmful, and no one should take rumours as truth but place it in the Lord’s hands, seeking His wisdom and truth. Even friends and family don’t always know the truth of rumours and we need to protect each other in love by stopping rumours as they occur. Rumours do injury to the innocent and encourage mistrust, which in turn, ruin relationships with others.

God is our judge and counsellor, and if one of His children needs counselling and discipline, He will instruct and administrate. We have no right to judge anyone on others’ hearsay.

Rumours seem to be present in most churches and ministries and as leaders, we need to seek out the truth before we give discipline to the wrong person or persons. Discipline and action should be according to the deed and under God’s instruction.

The old saying: ‘nip it in the bud’ means to stop something before it grows or gets worse. It’s kind of like nipping a flower when it’s still a bud so it can’t grow. We as Christians can ‘nip’ a rumour in the ‘bud’ before it becomes uncontrollable and causes harm. To pass on hearsay or word-of-mouth tattle-tales is immature and falls short of Christ in us.

Words can be powerful and very harmful. Proverbs 18:21 says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We need to check our hearts and protect our brothers and sisters in Christ. Close your ears to rumours. Nip them in the bud, and if need be, check some details yourself and clear up any rumours that are causing harm against your brother/sister and love them.

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Father, help us to keep our tongues restrained and stop rumours before they do harm. Give each of us a heart of love for all our brothers and sisters in Christ and protect relationships with truth and honesty. Keep our hearts pure and give testimony to it. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

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