Backbiting is treason !

Saturday August 14, 2021

Backbiting is treason !

“The backbiting divulges secrets ; a man of confidence is keen on something hidden.” Proverbs 11. 13

Backbiting has many faces. That of feigned innocence, seemingly innocuous like : “Did you hear what they say about her ? It is claimed that... But it may be without any basis." Even the cynical betrayal of one who has earned someone's trust and hastened to divulge secrets entrusted to enemies. Or the peddling of false witness, a sin that God puts on the same level as murder or adultery : “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20.16). Judas was part of the inner circle of Jesus disciples. He had even become the group's accountant. As such, he was very familiar with Jesus' habits, the friends He frequented, and the places He liked to meet. “Judas, he who betrayed him also knew this place because Jesus and his disciples had often gathered there” (John 18. 2). His act of treason was not a last minute decision, but was premeditated. However, soon after, he realized his baseness and was disgusted with himself to the point of committing suicide. If we betray the trust of one of our brothers or friends, let’s not hope to escape remorse and shame, unless we have hardened our hearts like the Pharaoh of Egypt in Moses' day. Have you ever betrayed someone's trust ? Have you given false testimony about anyone ? Have you spread a rumor about a brother or sister in Christ ? These are questions we should all ask ourselves from time to time. Better to make every effort to hide even an unspeakable secret, for “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4,8). And in doing so, we will prove what love binds us to each other.

Source (His Word for Today)