I think that most "tales" (rumors, gossip) are suspect by the very nature of their birth and rapid repetition.
I met someone the other day and found myself quite impressed with him. He was much like I'd imagined him to be. I'd heard a tale that had circulated for several years about him till the tale became extremely public. I asked him about the tale. He leaned forward across the dinner table and looked me square in the eye. He wanted my total attention. He then refuted the information. The tale had been a lie. Although the truth of the matter had been distorted beyond recognition, he seemed to bear no anger nor did he embellish his simple words of "I did not do that" with further explanation. There is action he could take to vindicate himself and it could be made public to produce a kind of retraction of sorts. But in reality, that isn't necessary with truth--at least to me. I saw and heard all I needed to hear. And I believe him.
"Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No be simply No; anything more comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37
I truly believe the indwelling Spirit of God reveals to us the spirit of love, of truth, of integrity in another. I believe He also reveals the deceit. Sometimes we do not want to accept the possibility that someone whom we think is upright could be less than we assume. And because we place people on pedestals, we can miss the inner voice of the Holy Spirit warning us to take heed.
For my satisfaction and peace of mind, I pray my heart is made pure by the cleansing examination of the Lord. I pray my Yes is simply Yes and my No is simply No and will stand the test of fire. I pray my character and life is so unwavering in faithfulness to God that all will trust my Yes and No. Oh, Lord, encamp Your angels around my mind. Don't let me go astray. Keep my feet from slipping. Uphold me in Your right hand. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
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