In
2003, sixteen members of a Lutheran Church in Maine became violently ill after
a church service. One member died. Doctors initially thought it was food
poisoning, but tests revealed all the victims had large doses of arsenic in
their blood. Investigators determined someone had put arsenic in the church’s
coffee urn. Soon afterward, a church member committed suicide and left behind a
note suggesting he was behind the poisoning. Police believe another person in
the church may have been an accomplice.
There’s
another kind of poison that’s killing off church members, often drunk with
coffee cup in hand. It’s the arsenic of gossip. All the enemy needs is for
a cooperating individual to add poison to the pot by starting a rumor. An
undiscerning person quickly pours a cup of gossip and passes it along to
others. Part of the information is left out, while wrong details are often
added. As it spreads, it becomes even more inaccurate.
God not only tells us
to not gossip, but to not even associate
with a gossiper. “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Prov. 20:19). Gossip not only ruins a
person’s reputation, but it also infuriates God. Three of the things He hates
are involved in gossip. “There are six things which the Lord hates . . . a lying tongue
. . . a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers”
(Prov. 6:16-19).
Don’t drink coffee with a gossiper,
or you’ll be sipping arsenic before you know it. And you might be the next
victim. www.makinglifecount.net
****************************************************************************************************
BIBLE STUDY: “How to Answer
Cults”
Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You can subscribe
in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an
email when the new devotional is posted)
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
