Don't Be A Scandal-Monger

413 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon-Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. (2 Sam 1:20) David's lamentation, “The Song of the Bow” continues. Gath and Ashkelon were chief cities of the Philistines, and when David says “tell it not in Gath or proclaim it not in the streets of Askelon,” he was saying, don't dwell on this victory won by the enemy. Mourn and grieve yes, but then move on. Don't give the enemy any more reason to celebrate. This advice was so good that it actually became a proverb in Israel. It was used in Mic 1:10, “Tell it not in Gath, Weep not at all; In Beth Aphrah Roll yourself in the dust.” This proverb is still around today and “to tell it not in Gath” means, “Don’t spread scandal. Keep the story to yourself.” We might say, “Don't air the dirty laundry.” Unfortunately scandal is never very far away in the church. The “mighty” on occasion fall and give the enemy cause to rejoice. The advice is the same. Grieve and mourn over the fall, but don't add fuel to the enemy's fire by wagging the tongue. Rather, pray for wisdom and discretion in handling the situation and of course for the restoration of the fallen. The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. (In other words, they tell it in Gath!) In Romans 1:29, gossiping is lumped in with other sins like envy and murder. And gossipers are also taken to task in 1Ti 5:13, “and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” As brothers and sisters in Christ, let's strive to “not tell it in Gath,” it only sets the demons to dancing. Rather let's weep and mourn for the fallen, asking God for restoration. Father, the tongue is so difficult to control and for this we ask Your help.