Rumor Has It

Rumor has it I've gotten old, bald, fat, and ugly. Well...in fairness that's more truth than rumor. A "Rumor" is actually defined as "a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth." A rumor can also be characterized by, "Talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source." See, that's the beauty of rumors, they are baseless words, originated by faceless people. It's untraceable hate at its finest, and we as a society are great at it. Are you personally guilty of gossip? I am. Have you ever perpetuated a rumor you've heard? I have.

 Rumors are spread for many reasons, I guess. Most notably rumors are ignited by and further flamed by the envious, with the main purpose/objective of causing pain and harm against their target. Rumors are a nasty business. As the childhood saying goes, "Rumors rumors are no fun, rumors rumors hurt someone."  If you've ever been on the wrong side of a rumor, you can attest to the hurt. Most of us at some point in our lives have been the subject of rumors, and we are in good company, because...

During Jesus' early ministry, stories of Jesus and his miracles were spreading like wildfire. Pharisees (the religious elite) stated the origin of Christ’s power must be evil. That was the only explanation for what was happening, right? Of course not. Truth be told, they were jealous. Jealous of Jesus. Jealous of a man that was shaking their foundation. He was teaching against the practices and the authority they had perverted across the years. Jesus was gaining affection and attention, and they didn't like it.

It's interesting how certain topics get more air time in the bible than others. "Money." "Fear." "Worry." "Love." "Gossip." It's almost like God knew what we'd struggle with. Some things we no doubt do too much, and some things we don't do nearly enough. So, let's gossip less and love more. Rumor has it, that's exactly what our world needs right now.

Much Love, Adam
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Ephesians 4:29
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Psalm 41:6
"When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around."
Proverbs 17:4
"A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongues."
Proverbs 18:7-8
"The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts."
Exodus 23:1
“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness."
Leviticus 19:16
"Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the Lord."
Proverbs 16:27
"A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire."
Proverbs 20:19
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
Romans 1:29
"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips."

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