More thoughts based on 1 Timothy 5:12

At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

As I was working through this passage, this verse made me think about some of what we see with discernment blogs and ministries.  I’m in favor of them in general because they can provide a valuable service to the church.  Yet, not all is good with them.

For instance, we sometimes see them dipping into tabloid-like reporting.  They may follow a questionable teacher so closely as to judge personal activities, many of which are insignificant to the evaluation of the individual or ministry in question.  Unless there is some disqualifying sin to discuss (like a husband leaving his wife for his secretary), there’s little reason for extending commentary beyond evaluating public teaching.

More to the point, much of what gets posted in the “survivor blog” community is often speculative, tawdry, and slanderous.  Yes, there are real issues of abuse to consider and discuss, but unsubstantiated reports are also posted, even after police investigations disprove claims.  We’ve seen ministries called abusive because of personal slights, and because of this, there are false reports of churches supporting rape culture and the like.  If a church is really doing this, then it is no longer a church of Christ, which is why the charge is so serious.  Yet, there are those who would say that it is better to falsely blame the innocent than it is to possibly miss blaming the guilty.

That is not proper amongst believers.  We should not entertain gossip and busybodyness, and we should repent of engaging in it ourselves.  Where true discernment and rebuke is needed, let it come, but may it be according to biblical standards which would glorify God.

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