Deuteronomy 13:12-14. “If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there saying, ‘Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known,”’ then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently: and, behold, if it be the truth, and the thing certain, that such an abomination is among you:”
HEAR SAY. There are tests you can make when you hear a person say, “Such an one has gone away from the Lord.” Ask are there others who can support such a claim – You don’t want to act on just one person’s word.
Inquire just yourself to find out if others know The information you received is really right. When such a thing has happened, others have heard it too – Such gossip needs to be confirmed by sight.
Take time to make a search, too much is at stake – A person’s life can be ruined by a word. Check out all the sources, people can mistake Motives behind what seems to be a misdeed.
Do not treat lightly what may or may not be true – Inquire diligently before acting on a rumor. If another life is hindered, you will always rue – You were not diligent and checked for truth much sooner.
What can you do to know the truth of a matter? Is there a way to come to the right conclusion? Two or three witnesses are the way to determine whether A rumor is true or someone else is spreading poison.
If some gossip is not certain, stop the rumor if you can – Go to the person who told you at the first. You may not stop the gossip, but perhaps you can help the man – Who may be unaware or innocent of the words that hurt.
“O God, who art the Listener to every conversation and the Judge of every matter: give me the sense to keep my mouth shut when I know uncertain rumors have the potential of breaking a person’s spirit. I know some things need never be spoken of and others things have to be looked into. Please give to me and all who are involved in such matters, a spirit of Christ-likeness and carefulness “lest thou be tempted also.” In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”