Midweek Encouragement - "Information is Power”

"Information is Power”

        ^{Here it is again. Another Mid-Week Encouragement about the power of the tongue. I’m sorry if you’ve heard this all before, but why do we humans keep abusing each other with words? Last week I encouraged us all to take every thought captive. This week I’m going to encourage us to think before we speak.}

         ^{Let’s face it. Words have power. Their meaning forms ideas that shape our beliefs, drive our behavior, and ultimately, create our world. Their power rises from our emotional responses when we read, speak, or hear them. The word “fire” spoken while barbequing, or in the workplace, or in a crowded theater, will produce three completely different but powerful emotional reactions.}

         ^{Inappropriate words directed toward other people can do great harm, but how many times each day do we allow our words to attack ourselves? We say things like, “I hate my hair,” “I’m so stupid,” “I’m such a klutz.” Words directed at our own selves bring so much negative energy into our lives. God’s Word says that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). That’s not a metaphor. That’s the truth.}

         ^{And when we participate in gossip, don’t you find that the harm goes both ways? To other people and toward ourselves, too? Often I hear people share “information” about others and I wonder if that’s just a kinder way of sharing gossip. When we share information about others, aren’t we lifting ourselves to a higher place in an attempt to avoid the trouble we’ve heard about in the lives of other people?}

         ^{Let me cut to the chase here. Let’s go back to 1752 when a group of Methodist men, including John Wesley, signed a covenant that every man agreed to hang on his office wall. The six articles of that solemn agreement will surely help us avoid the sin of gossip. Here they are:}

^{1. I will not listen to or willingly ask about news that has happened to someone else.}

^{2. If I do hear any news about another person, I will not believe it.}

^{3. If I do hear any news about another person, I will, as soon as possible, talk to that person first.}

^{4. Until I talk to that person, I will not write or speak one syllable of it to any other person.}

^{5. After I have spoken to the affected person, I will not share their information with any other person unless I have their permission.}

^{6. I will not make any exception to any of these rules.}

         ^{One last word of advice . . . Always remember that the person who tells you “don’t tell this to another soul” has probably already told all the souls you know. Whoever gossips to you will be a gossip of you.}

         ^{Guard your tongue to keep gossip far away! Just saying!}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.