We are also back into our Warning Signs for Christians today…Part 5 is our final installment and we go out with a bang. If you are just joining us, or missed any of the series you can catch up! Part one is here, Part 2 Lethargy & Rebellion, Part 3 Modesty, and Part 4 Pornography, Fornication & Adultery.
Shut the Front Door! Pt. 5 Gossip & Prayerlessness
Gossip
Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
Does anyone benefit from gossip? No, absolutely not. In reality, everyone involved is harmed. The one who brings the news has hurt their reputation, the one who decides to stay and hear “the dirt” has done the same and also possibly endures shame and embarrassment, depending on the content.
Then there is the subject of the gossip. If they are innocent, lies are being spread about them and they may not even know it. Even if they are guilty, it is their business and between them and God, the gossip is doing no one any good. It only stirs up more trouble.
The Bible speaks very plainly about those that gossip, only it calls them talebearers. It speaks of younger widows that have cast off their first faith, “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” 1 Timothy 5:13.
A person that gossips cannot be trusted. Proverbs 11:13 tells us that, “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
“A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 16:28. Here the Word shows us that gossip will literally destroy friendships.
Proverbs 20:19 NKJV. “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
When you are betrayed by a talebearer it is difficult to trust again and when you are The Whisperer, and gain that reputation, it is something you are likely to never overcome.
The Bible tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:4-9.
Prayerlessness
Finally, the most dangerous pitfall for any Christian is to neglect their prayer life. Like the physical body cannot live without water, the spiritual body cannot survive without prayer. We have to have that communication with our Lord. The more time we spend with Him, the more time we will want to spend with Him!
To go without prayer is to display the attitude that we don’t need God in our lives…we can make it without Him. Oh, we don’t think that in our brain but it is essentially what we are saying with our hearts and living out with our lives! We can handle this God. In the book “How to Pray”, by Ronnie Floyd, he says, “Prayer occurs when you depend on God”, and “Prayerlessness occurs when you depend on yourself.”
Our Lord set the standard in His ministry for our prayer lives.
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 NIV.
If Jesus showed us how important it was to pray, and even spent 40 days and nights praying and fasting, shouldn’t we heed His example in our own lives?
The answer to every problem, every challenge, every dilemma that we will ever face, can be found on our knees. There really are no excuses, everyone has time. We have to make time, it’s all about our priorities. We have good intentions but we allow other things to get in the way, to take precedence. But the bottom line is that nothing is more important than spending time with the Creator of the Universe!
It is like charging up your cellphone or iPad every day, you have to be “plugged in” to the Source to survive!
The pressures we face in our generation are unprecedented. The coming of the Lord could very well be in our lifetime. The signs are all around us, His return is imminent! Without a relationship we risk hearing Him say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you…”
The enemy literally is working around the clock to distract the Christian like never before. He knows that the more we pray, the more in tune we are with God. And the more in tune we are, the more power we have! When we tap into that power, we are unstoppable. The Bible says even Satan believes and he trembles. If we ever truly get hold of what God intends for us then we can move mountains.
If we want to be a part of the Church of the Living God we know it starts in the prayer closet.
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31.
Pray in the Spirit! When we forget about the time and start praying in the Holy Ghost, Heaven takes notice. Souls are dying lost every day and going out into eternity. Are they worth our time?
Someone prayed for us, will we take the time to stand in the gap for others?
Oh Eileen I am so sorry about your arthritis!! I am saddened to hear you can no longer type without pain! I am in tears as I read this to realize you are ending your “career”, so to speak, right here on my blog. I am so honored friend. You have blessed me these last few days with your words of wisdom on Shut the Front Door.
I am overwhelmed with your prayer for me, truly it is beautiful. I receive it in Jesus’ name, eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to receive revelations. Courage, protection, prosperity and oh Lord please most of all these last two…grace and mercy.
I pray for you today friend that you would receive relief from your pain and would be blessed beyond measure for your ministry of many years. And that now the Lord would grant you another ministry, maybe even one you have never imagined. You are not finished yet!! He has a plan for your life. You have years of wisdom to share with others!
Blessings to you today and much love! ♥
Thank you ever to much for the courage you had to make all these post. It is important for us to teach the truth, holiness, righteousness when the Lord gives us the opportunity. The Lord is calling me to slow down and simplify in ways that is hard on my flesh as I am a people pleaser and a doer. But like Annie Flint some times we have the thrown in the flesh like the Apostle Paul, and His grace is sufficient. Due to bad hands I am not going to be able to partake in blogging any longer and it has been very painful to post here as my hands just do not like it. But this felt like a good place to end blogging. Nannette you are a gifted individual and a diligent one, to Him be the glory.
May the Lord bless you with great understanding, eyes to see, hears to hear and a heart to receive the great revelations as did Paul. May you be blessed with courage, protection, prosperity, grace and mercy.
Until the net is full of treasures out of darkness,
In Him we live and move and have our being.
Thank you!!! for the series, for speaking the truth. Again, one more virtual hug. I appreciate these posts!
This is so important and I appreciate that you took the time to blog about gossip and prayerlessness.