TABLOID MENTALITY

 

Now I urge you, brethren, note those whocause divisions

and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which

 you learned, and avoid them.

 (Romans 16:17)

 

It seems as though we are living in a day of tabloid mentality.  I have never seen a culture and society so obsessed with gossip, innuendos, and rumors.  Just turn on the TV and you'll find all kinds of programs that probe into the personal lives of others.

 

This tabloid mentality has even entered the news media, where reporters hunt for that juicy piece of gossip.  The tragedy is that if someone is charged with a crime today, we try him or her in the media before they ever have had the opportunity to enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers.

 

Sadly, this kind of thinking can even enter the church.  When we hear something about someone else, immediately our ears perk up.  But what does the Bible tell us?  It says that love believes the best of every person.  It doesn't say that love believes the worst. 

 

This means that when someone says something about a Christian brother or sister, you should immediately have some disbelief in your heart.  The reason is that you are to believe the best of that individual.  We must be very careful, because many times we accept rumor as truth.  Then to make matters worse, we start repeating what we've heard without checking the facts.

 

One of the things the Bible says that God hates is the one who sows discord among others (see Proverbs 6:16--19).  This is the person who spreads rumors, who spreads innuendos, and who slanders others.  God hates this.

 

Don't be someone who spreads rumors.  Don't be someone who gossips.  It's wrong.  It's sinful.  And it displeases God.