It doesn’t happen much to most of us, but when it does, it’s quite disconcerting.
I’m talking about those times when we’re actually accomplishing much for the Lord and others are seeing how God is so graciously working through us and then the Enemy sends a poisonous gossiper into the mix.
The gossiper doesn’t spew the caustic comments to us, but instead to our close friends and associates.
The idea is to destroy our credibility and, thus, our influence.
I wish I could say this has never happened to me.
I can’t.
It’s part of being in ministry, unfortunately.
But this faith-testing circumstance isn’t limited to pastors.
Most every layperson who is serious about serving the Lord has been bruised by the baloney told others about him or her.
Rather than fight fire with fire, we are called to boldly do what’s right and actually remove any basis for the complaints against us.
We cannot out-gossip the gossipers.
And we should not expect gossip from us to stop others from gossiping.
We are called to always do the right thing in a way that shows our commitment to play by the rules.
Simply put, the best way to respond to lies is to live by the Truth.
This is the message that jumped off the page this morning while reading from Matthew 17:24-27.
Some Jewish temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked if Jesus paid his annual two-drachma tax.
Notice that they didn’t go to Jesus first and ask for the money.
Here’s what they said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
Cynicism dripped from their words.
Peter, though perhaps not being sure of the answer, immediately answered, “Yes, He does.”
Peter went to the house where Jesus was staying in Capernaum and, before he could even ask about the tax, Jesus taught that kings don’t pay taxes, others do.
But in order to not “cause offense,” Jesus told Peter to go fishing, opening the mouth of the first fish he caught in order to pull out a four-drachma coin for Jesus’ tax payment AND Peter’s.
The lesson for us is this: Sometimes the best response to those trying to pull the rug out from under our standing in others’ eyes is simply to make sure we do the right thing, not only in our eyes but in the eyes of the one(s) hearing the gossip.
If you learn that one close to you is hearing gossip about you, determine to demonstrate your integrity to that person in an unmistakable fashion.
The objective should not be to shut up the gossiper. Such hearts are typically darkened and slow to respond to your patient persuasion.
Instead, the objective should be to shut the ears of your friends to the lies of the gossiper.
And that will happen as your credibility is affirmed over and over again.
That’s what worked for Jesus. That’s what has worked for me. And that is what can work for you.
As always, I love you
Martin
