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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

 

Gangrene: “death of bodily tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection.”

Gangrene: A perfect metaphor for gossip.

When we turn from Christ and aim anger at our siblings in Christ, we symbolically cut off “blood” flow and spread “infection.” This leads to destruction.

In these scriptures, church members are exhorted to avoid spreading doubts about the gospel and God’s grace. They are commanded to focus on truth instead of sowing confusion amongst the congregation. (I suspect doubts about other members were discouraged, too.) After all, those who are in Christ are vessels of the Holy Spirit and messengers of His gracious message. We should not tear down others in word or deed.

It is interesting to note that doubts about God and His love can lead to misperceptions of self and other. Perhaps doubt is the soil in which gossip spreads.

Allison Montgomery

Yes5olias1@yahoo.com

Prayer Concern - That we all would focus on what is right and turn from discord.

Alternative scriptures: Genesis 31: 43-32:2 and Psalm 121