Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15
Rumors, especially those involving prominent persons, can last a long time. On July 9, 1850, President Zachary Taylor died suddenly. Some believed he was poisoned and the rumor persisted. More than 140 years later the remains were exhumed, but no evidence of foul play was found.
False rumors are lies, and they have fast feet. They are perpetuated because some people prefer them to the truth. The Bible speaks of this. At the end of his Gospel Saint John corrected a rumor circulating in his day because of what the risen Jesus had said to Peter: "The rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple [John] would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; He only said, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?'" (John 21:23).
Some rumors are far worse. The Bible (Revelation 22:15) speaks of malicious rumormongers as being in the same class with "those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murders, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Christ's enemies circulated outright lies to account for the empty grave. They claimed the disciples came by night and carried the body away (see Matthew 28:11-15).
Christians refrain from speaking and listening to rumors, especially false ones. Saint Paul wants each reader to "put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor" (Ephesians 4:25). Again: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).
How can it be otherwise? Christians are like Christ, who speaks the truth and is the Truth. He rose from the dead after completing our redemption, establishing us in the truth that sets us free--and in truthfulness as a result.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my example of truth-telling and for helping me to follow Your example. Amen.
(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 39-40 Romans 6
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