The Ballestero Blog

The Ministry Of Covering

(Why Do Pentecostals Gossip?)

1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

• I am NOT talking about COVERING FOR someone.
• I am AM talking about PROTECTING one another FROM gossip and slander.
• What is our obligation?
• It seems that if our own soul is not important to us and we do NOT love out brother, then there are no off limits.

• We are living in the days of Gossip Sheets and Rumor Rags on display in every Supermarket checkout line.  Inquiring minds want to know!

• My Dad had a sign in his office:  “You can’t white wash yourself by blackening others”

What is there about this society and this age that just delights in knowing the worst about everyone and then telling it everywhere? Evidently, it’s OK to say whatever you wish about someone as long as you say “POOR THING” at the end of the sentence.

I. The Bible starts out with the worst-case scenario.  Some attempt to find deeper meanings in this scripture.  I only want to take it a face value for what it says, for today’s thought.

Gen. 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

• How horrible!!  Your brother tells you, that your father got drunk, and worse yet, anyone who comes into his tent will see him uncovered.

• That never seemed to bother HAM.  But he wound up being the father of the Canaanites, a people of sinful and corrupting influences.

Ham saw there was a problem, did nothing to help and then told others.  When Shem and Japheth heard the news, they:

1. Didn’t condone the drunkenness of their father.
2. They disapproved of his condition
3. They disapproved even more of their brothers response.
4. He would never wash that from his memory
5. (The longer you live, the more fault you can find and the more humanity you will see in your hero’s life.  You can’t let it throw you, nor give you license to do wrong either.)
6. They went into a defense mode.
7. They found a covering.
8. Put it on their shoulders.Backed in.
9. Turned their faces away, so as not see.“I’m not going to look like HAM did.
10. We’re closer to him than you are, but willingly blind ourself.
11. Not that we approve, but we don’t want folks like you finding out all you can about a situation and then go tell it everywhere.
12. We’re going to cover him.
13. When he gets back up, we want him to have his self-respect.
14. Love covers all

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Pr 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Pr 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

The job of the Rodeo clown.

• To protect the fallen rider from the bull.
• The clown is no doubt one of the best athletes in the arena.
• He puts himself in the line of danger to protect a fallen comrade.
• Some of you clowns aren’t doing your job.

There is something wrong with those that have a keen interest in others sins.

• They more than likely will wind up having problems of their own.
• Knowing and telling, two different things

Shem and Japeth knew.

• They didn’t  approve,
• They didn’t gloat,
• They didn’t laugh,
• They were appalled,
• They were mortified.
• They didn’t want their father to be a laughing stalk.

What is your intention when you spread the juicy details?

Prov. 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Prov. 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Prov. 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Prov. 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

What’s Their Motive?

• This is a gossip generation
• News in Pentecost travels fast
• Cell phones
• Email

Paul, I am determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The Curse Of Caanan.

• There is a curse from the Lord upon those that gloat over another’s problems.
• Considering thine own self.
• God’s ministry is one of covering so the world and enemy of our souls can’t see.
• Why do you want to expose some one.

Just because you know about someone’s mistake, doesn’t mean you have to tell everyone!

My advice? Never play Private Detective or Prosecuting Attorney in the Kingdom of God.

Let’s be more like Him!