SPEAK NO EVIL OF SPIRITUAL DIGNITARIES

08/20/2023

"But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you" (2 Peter 2:12-13).

For context, Today's theme scripture speaks of false teachers, and it's not what many might think. The Bible is very apt to say that in these last days, false teachers will be a very present feature of the Church. 

2 Peter 2:1 says, "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." Notice the definite future tense. He didn't say, "there might be false teachers," no. There will be false teachers who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, and these false teachers will be Christians like you and me.  

Heresy is any opinion that contradicts the Word of God. That said, if a person shares an opinion about another person that contradicts the Word's position, that person begins to fit the description of a false teacher. If a believer reports a scandal of a brother or sister with the intent to gossip or malign their image, that is false teacher territory. 

There is a firm Bible doctrine concerning who Christians are, and it is that they are kings and priests (according to Revelations 1:5-6). All believers are spiritual dignitaries. This is why you must be careful not to speak evil of a believer. One of the characteristics of false teachers is speaking evil of dignitaries. 2 Peter 2:10 says of false teachers, "...They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries..."

Now, if there is a case of misconduct or dispute, the process of conflict resolution is spelled out in Matthew 18:15-17, which says, "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." Never go behind the back of another believer in the name of settling a dispute or reporting a misconduct. Tell him or her, and if there is no repentance, take it along the spirit chain of authority. 

Saints, gossip is false teaching. And as per Today's theme scripture, false teachers attract the weightiest of punishments from the Lord. 

Now, if it is repulsive to gossip about another believer, how much more grievous is it to do so about a leader in the House of God. Let a word be enough for the wise.

God bless you!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am wise in God to know how to avoid sticky situations involving other believers. I know no one according to the flesh. Therefore, only what God has said guides my conversations as it relates to my brothers and sisters in Christ. So help me, God! Hallelujah

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Psalm 116-118; 1 Corinthians 2

Prayer of Affirmation 

I Solemnly Declare that all things are fashioned to work together for my good, and I am soaring high on the wings of the Spirit, and my mouth is filled with laughter and my tongue with the songs of triumph. I am full of power and dominion, and nothing is impossible unto me! From Today, I function by the power of the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and I have a perfect understanding of all things, and people come to me to seek solutions for various matters. Hallelujah.