Two Sides To A Story. Part [5] 08/16/2025 (Evening thought)

Instruction [3] Leviticus 19: 16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I am the Lord.

This instruction on the issue of stories, coming from the rumor mill has to do with us not being a conduit for the tales in question. For us to take pleasure in spreading tales, even those that are true, can bring persons more in alignment with the accuser of the brethren than with the Spirit of truth that emanates from Jesus. Some persons believe that tales are only fictitious in nature, and could never be true; but while in most cases they may be concocted stories there are times when they could also be true.

Definition from Oxford Languages: Tale: A fictitious or true narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted. Thus, the passage above that we just read does not deal with whether or not the story is true, it deals with the issue of being a conduit for the negatives. And one of the reasons for this instruction against being a conduit, is that embellishments are often added, to spin the story into harmony with what the conduit prefers to hear.

This can distort truth, and it can potentially do irreparable damage to the person in question….. [Acts of the Apostles pp 319] Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others.

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Two Sides To A Story. Part [4] 08/15/2025 (Morning thought)

Deuteronomy 19:18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother. 19 Then shall you do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

Instruction [2]: 1st Timothy 5: 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses…. Note well the Scriptural instruction in the passage is to refuse the accusation if it is coming from a single source. This does not necessarily mean that it is not true, it may actually be true, but if it is coming only from one person, it should be refused. In other words, before rushing to conclusions, take some time to listen carefully without biases.

And let there be a preponderance of unmistakable evidence before drawing any conclusion. This way of handling stories, and rumors which may occur from time to time, could save a lot of persons the pain, and heartache of repairing damages, after the fact. It must be stated here that because of man’s fallen nature, we naturally tend to gravitate towards bad news, more than good news, in so much that the news media actually thrives off of negative stories much more than good news.

For instance, when some juicy tabloid story is on the menu, as is the case currently, you will usually find that the 7:00 pm news hour will open up with the story in question while the news on health and well- being is left for last, for around 7:45 pm. This strategy deliberately puts the spotlight on negatives instead of positives, and the multitudes eagerly gobble up the bad, sometimes in exchange for the good.

1st Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

May The lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!