Drops from a Leaking Tap by George Verwer

Author:George Verwer [Verwer, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OMF
Published: 2012-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

13

Dangers of the Tongue

As I write this, my heart is very heavy. My hate for sin, Satan, and self is on the increase. I know that Satan is trying to destroy individuals. He doesn’t attack ships, trucks, or church buildings, but rather he attacks people. I have ample proof that one of Satan’s main methods which is being used in these days is the sins of the tongue. Even as I write this, I want to search my own heart, and I come in repentance for words that never should have come from my mouth.

Please read and meditate on these words. . .

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another (Galatians 5:13-15).

I would urge all teams to make a prayerful study of the sins of the tongue. Please read and meditate on the following Proverbs:11:13; 12:19,22,25; 14:23; 15:1,4; 17:9,28; 18:19; 20:19. We all know many New Testament passages which bring out these truths. Have your team members look up some of these. Matthew 18:15-20 should also be studied and put into practice.

We hear there is an “OM grapevine.” This could be the devil’s telegraph system. For news to be passed from one to another is fine, unless it brings a brother or sister into a negative light. Philippians 4:8 should be our guide. Those of us who teach and preach will be even more guilty according to James 3:1.

Satan is clever—and some of us may be doing things without being aware of it. See 2 Corinthians 2:11. We must be more prayerful and careful when we pass on any information about others.

Matthew 7:12 is another basic rule. Leaders at times must prayerfully evaluate and discuss people. This is why it seems to me that a person who gossips should be disqualified from leadership.

I am 100 percent convinced that some leaders have wrong impressions about other leaders that can be traced back to gossip which, I believe, includes insinuations. The latter is almost more deadly. If we are guilty, then let us repent and put things right.

Team members must be careful of what they say about their leader. God’s Word says, Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19).

One of the most foolish things we can do is pass on to a brother or sister something negative and harmful which someone has said about them. Proverbs says this can separate the best of friends. We have seen this happen in the past. When tempted to do such an evil thing, remember the person who said it may have repented or changed his mind, and so what you pass on becomes a lie. Let us avoid such a practice, like the plague.

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