GOD SPEAKS

Some people are very interested in revealing other people’s things. Even if the other person does not ask, they just keep on saying it. They are very interested in looking at the lives of others. The same is different when it comes to theirs. They think that their personal matters should not be known to anyone. Are their lives only lives? Will they only have dignity? Are the rest of the lives just lives? What does the Bible call them? They are slanderers. They have no more work to do. They can’t shut the mouth. They can’t sleep if they can’t talk about others. They come to our own people and tell our secrets/things before we do. Why do they need to put other people’s personal matters in front of someone else? The Bible says: One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, but one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. Proverbs: 11:13 [NASB]. We cannot trust them. Friendships and conversations with them can be very dangerous. Because they make many people laugh at your life too. That is why the Word of God says: One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip. Proverbs 20:19[NASB].  Aren’t all these words provoking strife? Do not all such words erode good relations with others? One reason why a person who tells such personal things to others is that he has no love for the other person. Doesn’t the Bible say that if we truly love, we will hide everything? Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 [NASB]. We know that this applies not only to offenses but also to the secrets of others. Because, only love works there.

Let us look at this passage in this context: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. ²⁰ But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1: 18-21 [NASB].

Joseph learned that Mary, who had been his prime, was now pregnant. He knew that the pregnancy was not caused by him. He did not know that Mary was pregnant because of the Holy Spirit. He did not know the reason. There was confusion in his mind. The thought that Maria had deceived him did not even come close. He did not care about the reasons. He did not show his aggression on Maria. He did not intend to put Maria in front of everyone and insult her. What a great mentality! Probably, that is why God wanted him and Mary. Look at what the Bible says: And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  The righteous will not dishonor others. The righteous man does not mock others. The righteous keep things secret. That is why Joseph secretly intended to leave Mary. However, God told Joseph the secret that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

If we are righteous we don’t put the things of others before everyone and insult them. If we are truly righteous we will not look down on the lives of others. If we have the love of God in us, we will hide the faults and secrets of others. Slanderers are interested in exposing the secrets of others. They seek their own happiness in the sorrows and reproaches of others. If possible one should try to bring such people in a good way. Recognizing that their words can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, it is good to stay away from them. {One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip. Proverbs 20:19[NASB]} It’s not that we hate them; it’s that we care about ourselves.