rumors

The story is told of a colonel who issued the following statement

to his executive secretary: "Tomorrow evening at approximately 2000

hours Haley's Comet will be visible in this area, an event that occurs

only once every 75 years. Have the men fall out in fatigues, and I will

explain this rare phenomenon to them. In case of rain, we will not be

able to see anything, so assemble the men in the theater and I will show

them films of it."

The executive secretary passed the order on to the company

commander: "By order of the Colonel, tomorrow at 2000 hours, Haley's

Comet will appear above the battalion area. If it rains, fall the men

out in fatigues, then march to the theater where the rare phenomenon

will take place, something which happens only once every 75 years."

The company commander passed the order on to the lieutenant: "By

order of the Colonel in fatigues at 2000 hours tomorrow evening, the

phenomenal Haley's Comet will appear in the theater. In case of rain in

the battalion area, the Colonel will give another order, something which

happens once every 75 years."

The lieutenant told the sergeant: "Tomorrow at 2000 hours, the

Colonel in fatigues will appear in the theater with the phenomenal

Haley's Comet, something that happens every 75 years. If it rains, the

Colonel will order the comet into the battalion area."

The sergeant gave the following order to the squad: "When it rains

tomorrow at 2000 hours, the phenomenal 75-year-old General Haley,

accompanied by the Colonel, will drive his Comet through the battalion

area theater in fatigues."

Unfortunately, many rumors get started in much the same way. What

begins as an innocent statement can quickly transform into an ugly lie

after being passed along by several "well-meaning" people. That's why

the scriptures warn so strongly about the sin of gossip.

"Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling

will stop. Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going, a quarrelsome

person keeps an argument going. The words of a gossip are like tasty

bits of food; people like to gobble them up." (Proverbs 26:20-22, NCV)

Father, please forgive me of those times when I have been so eager

to "gobble up" negative information about others. May I not be so quick

to listen to gossip. Keep me from the sin of spreading gossip, even in

the name of "good intentions." In Jesus' name, amen.