The Ballestero Blog

The Power Of Babble

Prov. 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

• If you talk long enough, sin will enter the picture.
• God’s word warns us about what we say.

Notice These Three Different Words.

(1.) Talebearer

Prov. 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly

• Words hurt. True or not, they hurt. The hurt will last for a long time.
• We don’t white wash ourselves by blackening others.

Some people are clearinghouses for rumors. They know all the gossip. They have no desire or intention of verifying the story. The gossip will not be checked out. (It seems they want to believe the worst.) They just pass it along, oblivious of the damage and destruction their words cause.

Remember, you’ll reap what you sow.

God’s Bookkeeper never makes a mistake. Someday there will be a Divine accounting. You cannot injure one of His ‘Little’ ones and get away with it. It would be better that there was a milestone tied around your neck. God monitors your words.

(2.) Prating

Diotrephes loved the preeminence, or in plainer words, he loved being in charge. The appearance of the Apostle John was a threat to him. His reaction was to talk about John to the local church people and try to destroy his reputation with malicious gossip. The Apostle exposed Diotrephes for what he was.

3John 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3 John 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

It is human nature to shoot arrows at folks that our carnal flesh perceives to be higher up or in leadership. We want to bring them down to our level… or lower.

Some people think themselves superior spiritually, doctrinally, or maybe even intellectually. They see the sin in every one but themselves.

• They delight in half-truths if it will help further their cause.
• They are willing to believe the worst.
• They will not return phone calls that would have answered their questions. Nor answer emails so that the problem can be corrected. They want to believe what they believe.
• Their mind is made up.
• God is not happy with these self-righteous assassins.

(3.) Accusations

1Tim. 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

I know the Bible says not to even listen to an accusation against a man of God unless you can produce two people who were there and witnessed it themselves. Why not take that a step further and not receive an accusation about anyone unless you have two witnesses?

Why Are We Mortals So Quick To Believe A Story, Even If It Is A Lie?

A number of years ago, I was in a room with four other men. The host announced that a ‘Brother’ had a serious problem.

“What kind of problem,” I asked.

“Moral problems.”

“That’s not good,” I said.

I heard a noise behind me and I saw Bro. Steve Pixler sliding slowly down the wall on the stairsteps. It was like he’d been shot and the strength to stand was no longer in him. He crumpled.

I turned to Bro. Pixler and said, “I don’t know this Brother we’re talking about. I’ve never met him. I couldn’t pull him out of a police line up. But I like how your body language defends him and is hurt just thinking a bad thought about him. Like Louis L’Amour would say, ‘You’ll do to ride the river with.”

Turning back to the host I asked, “Who is making the allegation?

“His Wife.”

That’s not good.”

“Who else?”

“No one.”

“Then let the record show right here that this conversation is over. I cannot receive an accusation against him unless there are two witnesses. As far as I’m concerned this conversation never took place.”

The next day, it was proven to be a false charge. The wife’s over medication had created a psychotic reaction.

Another man thanked me for defending this man I didn’t know.

My response was, “Don’t thank me, it’s like paying my tithes, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

How many rumors could we stop, if we just refused to hear it out?

God Hates These Six Things

1. A proud look,
2. 2. A lying tongue,
3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief,
6. 6. A false witness that speaketh lies,

This Seventh One, Is An Abomination In God’s Eyes…

7. He that soweth discord among brethren.

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.

Are you saying or repeating things that might bring injury to one of God children? If you wish to be saved, repent, make it right and never do it again!