The Dark Web of the Ch
This warning of properly using the tongue is serious business. Two chapters in the Bible, Psalms 52 and James 3, are dedicated to the tongue, and if we are serious about keeping the kingdom, we must routinely read, study, and meditate upon them. James states that we must receive the engrafted Word so that our souls may be saved (James 1:21). How do we receive the Word? In a spirit of humility and meekness. Here is our Word study in removing yourself from the dark web that exists in the church.
First, recognize that there is a diabolical, cesspool of words that slanders, gossips, insults, opinions, whispers, accuses, criticizes and character assassinates other members of the Body in a despicable imitation of the world. We must do better because we are representatives of the kingdom. Once you know better, you can do better.
Understand that behind this cesspool of evil speaking is a major demonic principality. I identify it with Jezebel, but others might use other names to identify it. Regardless, it derives from the underworld with the design to suffocate churches, relationships, and families through division and contention. It sucks you into its web and makes you a cone (carrier) of juicy gossip. Remember, “Rumors die at the ears of the wise and the spiritual, but are spread by the weak, ignorant, and carnal (fleshly). Paul told the Roman believers that they who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Our whole duty is to please our heavenly Father who graciously saved us while we were yet in rebellion. Since no man can tame the tongue, we must willfully, deliberately, allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to bring it under subjection. This will take exercise, restraint, and wisdom.
Steps to Take When Confronting Gossip
Weak response: Meet it with sacred silence. When backed by the Holy Spirit, silence becomes searing and gives the enemy a stern disapproval. When the Lord was brought before the Sanhedrin and pummeled with false accusations and lies, “he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12). One day, a loving church mother who had just joined our congregation called and enthusiastically praised the ministry. She abruptly changed the subject to a city pastor who was having an affair (gossip). I said nothing. As she chatted on, she suddenly stopped and said, “I shouldn’t be talking about this. To be honest, I don’t even know who this pastor is.” End of the story. You can meet such circumstances with a deadening silence that will kill the conversation.
Tactical response: Meet it with sacred silence. When backed by the Holy Spirit, silence becomes searing and gives the enemy a stern disapproval. When the Lord was brought before the Sanhedrin and pummeled with false accusations and lies, “he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12). One day, I received a call from a dear church mother who had recently joined our congregation and excitedly praised the ministry. Suddenly, she shifted the conversation to a pastor within the city who was having an affair. I said nothing. As she chattered on, she suddenly stopped and said, “I shouldn’t be talking about this. In fact, I don’t even know who this pastor is.” End of the story. You can meet circumstances with a deadening silence that will kill the conversation. The Bible says, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out.” (Proverbs 26:20a).
Stronger response: When gossip and rumors come your way, typically, you have a target written on your back saying, “I’m a cistern.” A cistern is a vessel or crevasse that carries water. Individuals come to you because they see you as a repository, a container, a toilet. There’s nothing flattering about knowing everybody’s business, i.e. “Guess who’s pregnant?” Guess who left the church?” “Girl, he’s back on drugs," etc. You can unwittingly become ensnared in Jezebel’s web.
Speak the Word
A mature, fearless response will respond to gossip as Jesus did in the wilderness when tempted by the adversary, “it is written” (Matthew 4:4). We are told to hold forth the Word of life. Here are scriptures to memorize and should be actively in your arsenal.
Tell the talebearer that the Bible says that we are to:
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesian 4:29)
Nehemia has a daring response to opposition and distracting lies. While repairing the walls of Jerusalem by divine commission, Nehemia’s enemies came with distracting lies to get him to abandon the work assigned to him by God. Nehemia’s wise and discerning response was, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” (6:2-4). Notice that Nehemia is set up on high and refuses to come down on the enemy’s level. We must do the same. A busy saint has little time for foolishness, yet the enemy will come with enticement. The key to avoiding much of the foolishness circulating on the dark web is to discover your purpose and put your hands to the plow. When distracting voices are identified, a sharp rebuke should follow immediately.
Touch and Agree
In the Acts chapter 12 Peter is spared from execution by the incessant prayers of the church. Unfortunately, we have mistaken that corporate prayer as the model of intercession. Everything we hear we feel that we must call others to “touch and agree” (Matthew 18:19) which frequently serves as a camouflage for spreading gossip, slander, and malicious rumors. Believers with a strong and consistent connection to the Most High take the prophet Elijah’s model of prayer. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him (James 5:16-19). Elijah offered a solo prayer and shut up the heavens. He prayed again and unlocked the heavens. Today, we feel auditoriums to pray, and not even a flea is healed of its broken wing. (I speak this facetiously, of course).
A Real Live Example
One Saturday I received a call, “Pastor, I have a word for the church. Can I give it?” I knew the young man who was trained under my ministry for several years before moving away, and I gave him the green light to not only deliver the word but to take the entire service. While mounting the pulpit and grasping the mic, he spoke authoritatively as he motioned for the young drummer to stand up front. “The Lord has been dealing with me. I want everyone who's been speaking against this brother to stand and line up. The drummer had suddenly and secretly married a young woman in the congregation. At least they were doing the right thing, I surmised; however, there was one thing that was out of order. She was gainfully employed in the medical field, and he was not. I spoke to him about this dilemma, and he said tearfully, “Pastor Toni, I’ve been trying... I really have, but I can’t get one.”
“You guys are hindering him,” the speaker said. The drummer was a wannabe rapper, but his endeavors would not pay the bills. As members slowly climb out of the benches, forming a line that stretched from the first pew to the back of the church, leaving only a few children, an Elder, and one church mother seated. Phew! As instructed, each one walked forward, confessed their judgment to the drummer, repented, and embraced. Hugs and reconciliation were exchanged, as copious tears flowed. The drummer, who was a faithful church attendee had missed several weeks of church. When he stopped by during bible study one night, he apologized but had amazing news. He was working three jobs: a day shift assisting those with developmental disabilities, a midnight shift at a local potato chip factory, and a part-time job at Toys R Us! The midnight shift foreman allowed him to clock out early so that he could make his day job (which is favor). So the words that were spoken against his situation by local church members were the very tool that the devil was using to block his employment. He was being “hindered” by dark speech “moving his lips he brings evil to pass” (Proverbs 16:13b). So you see, church people must govern their words, and in this case, stay out of other people's business.
Meditate and Memorize
· “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3)
· “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” (1 Peter 3:10)
· "If you love life and want to live a good, long time, Then be careful what you say. Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things.” ( I Peter 3:10 VOICE)
· “Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28).
· “He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.” (Proverbs 21:23).
· “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20-21)
· " To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)
Fasting: Abstain from hearing and spreading gossip. When someone comes to you with juicy hearsay respond with “I don’t want to hear it!” If the person carries the Jezebel spirit, they will rear up in anger and indignation and seek to punish you with insults such as, “Oh, so you think you’re so saved.”