Responding Properly to Backbiting -
by Pastor John Fredericksen
In
October of 2013, twelve-year-old Rebecca of Lakeland, Florida, took her
life after being bullied by several other teens. A series of events,
including malicious cyber messages to and about Rebecca drove her to a
tragic end. Even after her death, one of the girls callously admitted
she had bullied Rebecca, bragged about it and stated, in crass terms,
that she couldn't care less about what happened.
While
the above might sound shocking, it has become commonplace in our
society. In fact, in different degrees, it is common even in Christian
circles. Believers of all ages allow themselves to participate in verbal
bullying and many of us enable perpetrators by listening to things that
should never be spoken. The Bible gives us an answer about how every
godly Christian should respond to vicious words spoken against someone
else.
God
tells us in Proverbs 25:23: "The north wind driveth away rain: so doth
an angry countenance a backbiting tongue." The word backbiting means to
attack the character or reputation of a person who is not present or, to
speak slanderously of one who is absent. Oftentimes one who is
backbiting is given an ear with the rationalization that the perpetrator
is a friend, needs a sounding board because they are hurting, or needs
counsel. But such concepts are contrary to the instruction of God's
Word. Malicious talk about someone who is not present doesn't seek to
solve the problem. It is an exercise to sin. Our response should be to
let the guilty party know with certainty that it is wrong, and we want
no part of such conduct. In II Corinthians 12:20-21, the Apostle Paul
warned he would give an even stronger response to those who backbite or
slander another. He would publicly "bewail many." What do you think?
Would confronting the backbiter in God's way deter such sinful actions
and perhaps aid in the health of the local church?
If
you have been guilty of backbiting another, this is your opportunity to
glorify your Savior. We suggest you stop this action immediately and,
whether past or present, apologize, without excuse, to the one you
victimized. When you hear backbiting, choose to respond as instructed
above. We can either be the problem or the solution. From this point on,
which will you be?
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Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
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