What would happen if we just say, “I”m going to ask him personally about this.”  Would that stop the conversation?  Maybe it would help us believers to stop short.  Maybe, unless it’s inappropriate, to go and warn the person in question that people are talking about him.  Jesus says we need to go straight to the person if we observe sin, then if he won’t listen to you and other witnesses, he must leave the church.  Too bad we don’t tend to opperate that way, isn’t it?

> On Jun 1, 2017, at 3:26 PM, Rhonda Partain <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> A recent conversation with a friend sparked these thoughts. What do you all
> think?
> No Wonder They Don't Believe
> 	Recently a friend of mine told me of a conversation she had with an
> acquaintance. This person was telling her all about what she saw as the
> faults of a local pastor. She was spreading gossip using her words to tare
> another down. How is this different from a person who doesn't believe in
> God? Is it any wonder people don't believe?  Christians are often very
> judgmental and are quick to tell of the weaknesses or faults of another. I
> didn't join in the conversation about this local pastor. I didn't add to the
> words spoken. I was just saddened. To know that others are talking about
> someone I care for. I wanted somehow to keep this one who has encouraged me
> and others from hearing of this; I wanted somehow to defend this one who has
> experienced so much personal hurt. How thoughtless of another to just so
> casually quietly try to destroy the character and reputation of someone with
> her words. None of us is perfect, we don't know the whole story. We only see
> or hear parts. What if we decided to pray for others, concentrate on what is
> good, what if we loved them anyway? The gift of words is awesome; I just
> wish we would learn how to use them for good. I am not perfect. I wouldn't
> want people talking about me, making judgments about how I am living my
> life.  The Bible tells us to bear one another's burdens, but who would want
> to share their problems and struggles if they feared others would tell their
> story? We keep our problems to ourselves depriving ourselves of the
> encouragement and prayers of others Maybe someone else has been through the
> problem we are now having; perhaps they could identify with our hurt. We
> will never know. God never meant us to do life alone. Until we learn to live
> out the things we say we believe an unbelieving world will not change. Why
> should they? There seems to be very little difference. I guess we have
> forgotten that the one without sin is the only one who can throw stones.