One of ministers' greatest anguishes is rumours. Through nearly forty years of ministry, I have experienced many rumours -- many about me -- some of which I would not want to repeat on a blog. While I don't claim to be an expert in dealing with them, here are some things to consider:
• There is a preponderence of good-heartedness in the Church, in spite of any rumoursOBSERVATION: All of these are explicit Biblical principles.
• People may be slow to catch on to the truth, but they are not dull to it
• The Bible shows us that God Himself turns a person's heart to fall prey to rumours
• I keep up a positive thrust, and avoid getting dragged down by them
• I find that a single sentence can make a major rumour vanish like the mist
• In the Bible, rumours are stated, then the facts, without theatrics or ad hominem
• The Bible says that the source of the rumour may be hiding behind a pious exterior
• God promises in time to remove that false cover
• One can trust God's promises of a timeous defence and answer from Him
• God also promises consequences for rumour-mongers
• In rare cases, the elders or even the Church may need to take a stand, or a third party may need to be called in to examine the matter – there comes a point where enough is enough
• One needs to rely on the Spirit if one challenges deceit, and not let self be in it, or it is a mistake
• (Said with due caution) Satan is active if one is doing a good job.
• And God hates rumours.
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