TITLE: STOP SPREADING MALICIOUS NONSENSE ABOUT OTHERS

TITLE: STOP SPREADING MALICIOUS NONSENSE ABOUT OTHERS

SCRIPTURE:

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.  11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.  13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.  15 Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” (3John 1:9—15 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            This letter of John to his dear brother Gaius, whom he loves in the truth, reminds me to be a person who loves truth.  I must confess that to love truth is a challenging reality.  To stay faithful to truth is part of who we are as children of God.  To love truth is to hate what is evil at all levels.  Truth and evil do not co-exist in the same place.  In this letter, John mentioned to individuals.

            Diotrephes, who loves to be first, did not welcome John and others.  He spread malicious nonsense about John and other believers.  Diotrephes also would not welcome other believers, and he even put people off the church.  There are many like Diotrephes even in the modern church today.  They spread malicious nonsense about other believers.  They discourage people from being a part of the church.  When someone is committed to spreading malicious nonsense about others, these people are not interested in the truth.  They spread untruthful information about others.  John said to Gaius and the church that those who know the truth should not imitate evil.  Those of the truth do not spread malicious nonsense. 

            However, there was also another believer, Demetrius, who was well spoken of by everyone and even by truth itself. John said, “We also speak well of him.” This presents us with a clear choice.  We can choose to be like Diotrephes, spreading malicious nonsense about others, or be a person of truth like Demetrius.  We cannot be both.  We must make a stand against falsehood and for truth. 

            It is our responsibility to stand against false information and nonsense, especially when it concerns other believers. Demetrius is well-spoken by many believers, including John and other disciples. An honorable person always champions truth over malicious nonsense. Their testimony gives life and peace and builds people up.

            A person who spreads malicious nonsense is a person who wants to put everyone down so everyone may first like him.  A person who always wants to be first needs to be better spoken of by others.  So, he or she must toot their own horn.  But a person who cherishes the truth is well spoken of by others because he does not promote himself.  A person who spreads malicious nonsense always seeks a crowd.  A person of truth does not seek a crowd; the crowd seeks him out. 

APPLICATION:

            My takeaway today, is to strive to be a person of truth in every aspect of my life.  I know that I do not always seek out truth but believe in falsehood.  I learned today to speak well of others and always to champion truth.  I also learn that I must never spread malicious nonsense about others but only speak the truth about people. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, you are the truth and the life.  I pray that you continue to teach me your truth.  Please help me to be a person who champions truth over falsehood.  I sometimes could improve in this area.  I want to always remain in your truth even if it is unpopular.  I ask that you help and keep me from spreading malicious nonsense about others.  I lean on you today to guide me in your truth and to speak to me what is truthful and honorable about others.  Please teach me daily of your truth.  Amen!