Often we see things in part and assume the rest of the story.\u00a0 That can be a very dangerous habit to get into.\u00a0 I was taught to believe nothing of what I see and only half of what I hear.\u00a0 Perhaps that sounds a bit sceptical for a Christian viewpoint, but let me explain my case.<\/p>\n
“Yesterday, I saw Bro. Jim sitting in a bar.\u00a0 His friends were definitely under the influence and Jim seemed to be having a good time too,” Mabel said.<\/p>\n
“I can’t believe that!” Doris argued.\u00a0 “He would never go such places or hang with those kind of people.”<\/p>\n
“I saw him,” Mabel insisted.\u00a0 “I’m not blind, it was him.\u00a0 I’m going right to the church leaders and let them know how Bro. Jim has been acting.\u00a0 He should be disciplined.”<\/p>\n
The facts are this:\u00a0 Bro. Jim was at the bar…to take his drunk neighbor home so he wouldn’t have to drive.\u00a0 They were laughing and having fun because it’s easier to handle a happy drunk than a mean one. Bro. Jim was lending a helping hand and protecting other drivers.\u00a0 He should be complimented on his Christian love.<\/p>\n
“I just heard Sarah say she wanted to have 10 children.\u00a0 She already has 3 and one on the way.\u00a0 Is she nuts?” Louise asked.\u00a0 “She and Susan were discussing how much it costs to feed that many kids.”<\/p>\n
“I can’t believe that,” Grace said.\u00a0 “I know this is to be there last one.\u00a0 They told me so.\u00a0 You must have heard her wrong.”<\/p>\n
“What, are you saying ,I can’t hear?” Louise yelled,\u00a0 “I know what I heard and what I saw.\u00a0\u00a0 Sarah and Susan were even picking out baby clothes, several each of the same outfits.”<\/p>\n
The facts are this:\u00a0 Sarah and Susan were planning a birthday party for little brother, Jeff.\u00a0 They wanted to invite 10 children and were trying to figure what to serve at the party that would fit their budget.\u00a0 They were buying baby clothes for a friend who was expecting triplets.<\/p>\n
What hurt and misunderstanding we can cause when we repeat lies or half truths.\u00a0 James 3:8 tells us, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”\u00a0 The power of life or death is in our words.\u00a0 So, let’s get our facts straight first. Then decide whether it’s worth repeating.\u00a0And finally, let’s concentrate on words that bring life not death, joy and not anger.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Often we see things in part and assume the rest of the story.\u00a0 That can be a very dangerous habit to get into.\u00a0 I was taught to believe nothing of what I see and only half of what I hear.\u00a0 Perhaps that sounds a bit sceptical for a Christian viewpoint, but let me explain my…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":420,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,3],"tags":[42,19],"class_list":["post-1421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-encouragement","tag-choices","tag-faith"],"yoast_head":"\n