Ten Commandments: Words that destroy

We’ve seen so far in the ten commandments two things we are not to do to the people around us. 

We are not to take their lives, and we are not to take their property. 

The third is not to take away their good name, that is to destroy their reputation with false testimony.

This is probably dealing mostly with testimony in a court-type situation. 

When there was a dispute between people or a person was accused of wrongdoing, witnesses were called to give their testimony. 

And God said, “Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.  Don’t ever say they did something when they in fact didn’t.”

We probably won’t have that many opportunities to testify in court, but how often do we tear at a person’s reputation by our words, namely through gossip or slander? 

When we gossip about people or slander them, it can do great damage. 

Marriages, ministries, and lives have all been torn apart by gossip.

So often we disguise our gossip as concern. 

“Did you hear about John?  We need to pray for him.  He…” 

Or “I’m really concerned about Lisa.  Have you heard what she’s been doing recently?”

If you’re really concerned about a person, you shouldn’t be gossiping about them.  You need to be talking to them directly, and make sure that your facts are right. 

So much damage is done because we often times we only have half the facts, if that much. 

Jesus once told the Jews,

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.  (John 7:24)

But you can’t get all the facts if you’re just gossiping about people. 

If you think they’re doing something wrong, talk to them about it. 

It’s what Jesus taught us to do.  (Matthew 18:15-17)

Do you gossip?  Do you say things that can destroy a person’s reputation? 

Our words should bring life, not tear it apart. 

What do your words do?