Whether it was on the grapevine or the rumor-mill, we’ve all experienced those moments when someone asks, “Have you heard about…?” The person will then explain that they heard it from someone that is a viable source, so it must be the truth. It gets real interesting when you start asking questions, then whatever can’t be answered, gets filled with assumptions. By the time everyone is finished with it, it’s a big, colorful story filled with drama and suspense. There’s only one problem. Nothing has been proven, just assumed and added to.
Rumors have no respect of persons. It can be about a marriage, a minister, a friend or even a family member. Then, like a cancer, it spreads everywhere. Some rumors can even last for years. It doesn’t matter if the rumor turns out to be untrue, some people still believe what they heard. It’s almost like there are certain people that want it to be true. I know that’s a harsh statement, but sadly enough, it’s true. I mean, why mess up a good story with the truth?
If it hasn’t happened to you yet, get ready, because it will. Believe me, no matter how many friends you think you have, it’s just hard for some people to ignore a rumor. From time to time I hear things that have been said about me. When this first started happening to me, I became angry because of the lies that were being said, but after some time, I realize that it may actually be helping. I know that sounds crazy, but at 47, it makes it easier for me to know who my real friends are and who aren’t my friends. Sure, it hurts your feelings when you hear things that are being said about you, but you need people around you that you can trust and sometimes God allows the wheat and tares to grow together, then in time they are separated. Some things just take time.
What’s interesting to me is that I seemed to be talked more about than talked to. There are people that haven’t spoken to me in years, but seem to know so much about me. Now, how does that happen? I don’t mind to answer any questions that someone may have about me. You can follow a rumor or you can call me and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Of course, if what you’ve heard or said about me is incorrect, you would then need to make sure and straighten the story out with the ones you told. I know, that’s a lot of trouble to have to mess with. If you haven’t spoken directly to the person the rumor is about, you have absolutely no right to tell what you have heard as truth. Unfortunately, It is easier to tell a rumor rather than go to the source.
I’m not writing this to defend my self, because it wouldn’t matter what I said, I’m not going to change the opinions of certain people. What I would like to do is encourage someone that may read this blog that is being talked about and the rumors are just untrue. It’s for that person who feels overwhelmed by all of the assumptions people are having about them. Whether it’s friends or family, you can’t chase down every rumor and really, you don’t need to waste your time doing that. Do what you do and don’t allow yourself to get drawn in the mud with people who spend their time slinging it.
Also, don’t forget, Jesus was a victim of rumors too. What’s interesting, is the ones that talked about Him the most, were the ones who claimed to know so much about the Word of God. Imagine that. Their traditions kept them from receiving a revelation. The truth is, Jesus warned His disciples about them and referred to them as hypocrites. Jesus didn’t chase all of the lies that were being said about Him, He just kept preaching the gospel and bringing healing and deliverance to people. We can learn so much from His actions. As a man, you know Jesus was upset that these false things were being said about Him, but He also knew that if He took the time to set everyone straight, it would take time away from what He was sent and called to do. That’s what I want to encourage someone to do today. God didn’t call you to deal with people who spread rumors, He called you to a specific work and don’t be distracted by false stories.
Even the Apostle Paul had to deal with this. In some of the churches he started, their were people who turned on him and started spreading false rumors. How did Paul respond to that? He summed it up in one chapter.
1 Corinthians 13 (THE MESSAGE VERSION)
1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
No matter what is said about you, don’t let anyone or anything cause you to compromise the true love of God that we are all commanded to show.
So true!