Marriage Series - The Wife Must Respect Her Husband Part 1

 

Welcome to Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters, pastors, and Christian leaders; and I am your host today, Daneille Snowden.

Ephesians 5:33 says: “…and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].”

 I love reading the amplified translation of this verse where it says that the wife RESPECTS and DELIGHTS in her husband.

Respect is a rare characteristic to be seen in the time and days we all live in. I truly believe that when others see how we show respect to our spouse, they take notice, simply because it’s powerful and rare, especially in the family unit. When we show disrespect in our marriage relationship, it quickly then becomes an impression on our own children’s characters as well. When we respect our husbands, we place them into the highest of regard and esteem.

My mother Mary, who was a pastor and a pastor’s wife highly honored my father (as he sacrificially loved her – see Ephesians 5:25); when he came home, I could see her eyes glisten as she prepared his meal and greeted him at the door. She loved to be with him all the time, he was her true love that she simply adored.

My fellow wives, respecting your husbands, displays your love and how you prefer him over yourself. This is seen in how you look at him, listen to him and admire him.

When I think of the word DELIGHT, written in this verse; I can almost feel a feeling-of-excitement. To delight is to have great joy and pleasure.

I know I am my husband’s priority, and he will do and has done so much for me. He has and still does show me the example of Jesus Christ’s agape (unconditional) love. It’s not hard for me to admire him, respect him, and delight in him. With Jesus as the center of our relationship, we are connected so close in this powerful bond. Fellow wives, sometimes we do have days where we just don’t feel like or want to respect our husbands. But if we are filled with the Love of Jesus; and walk by the Spirit we can take the actions to show the respect and honor our husbands need. I say need, for it is a type of love language we wives can give to our spouse.

This has been Multiply, will you share this with someone today? And find us on Facebook- Encouragement for Village Church Planters, also on YouTube and as always on our website at vcpencouragement.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Marriage Series - Build Each Other Up Part 2

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

Last week I shared with you all about the importance of husbands and wives building each

other up with our words. In the world, we often hear discouraging words; sometimes we are 

insulted and even threatened by the words of others. But

our homes should be a place of refuge, a place of safety and a place of

respect. When husbands and wives use encouraging, edifying words to build

each other up, homes become places of peace and tranquility. Not only do

parents experience peace, but their children do as well.

So husbands and wives should build each other up by the words we speak. But

there are two other ways to build each other up that I would like to mention

today. One way to edify your spouse is to pray for him or her. Better yet, pray

with your husband or wife. Pray specifically for your partner’s health and

wellbeing. Pray for your spouse to be successful as he or she works to achieve

goals on the farm, in business, in school, and in church planting. Pray with

faith. Express your love for your mate out loud in prayer to God. As you do so,

you with strengthen your spouse; together your faith in the goodness of God

will grow and you both will be built up in the Lord. Pray together. Make sure,

when you pray together you pray lovingly with faith and hope. Be sure to pray

for one another by name.

Let me encourage you, when you pray together as husband wife, take each

other’s hands as you pray. Hold each other by the hand and pray. As you do

this, you will say by your action, “We are connected. We are together. We love

each other. We have been united by God in marriage.” When you hold hands as

husband and wife and pray together, you are saying by your action, “Lord, we

agree in prayer. Hear our prayer according to your promise in Matthew 18:19.

Jesus, you said, “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about

anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Try it

out. Build each other up in prayer by praying together holding hands.

Another way to build up your husband or wife is by encouraging him or her in

personal growth and development. Men and women have goals. Husbands and

wives have goals for their children. Individually they have goals to study, learn,

develop their businesses, develop their farm, make disciples, plant churches,

and start new ministries in the churches. None of these goals is easy to

achieve. When a married person faces difficulty in achieving a goal, he or she

needs the encouragement and edification from their mate. Husbands and wives

can build each other up through coaching. Listen, care, celebrate. Understand

your spouse’s goals. Understand the challenges and difficulties they are facing

as well as the opportunities. When your spouse faces obstacles, gently,

respectfully help him or her consider options and make plans to move forward.

Be sure to celebrate together when goals are met and objectives are achieved.

In this way, you will build each other up. You will strengthen your marriage.

Together you will glorify God. Together you will be strong in the Lord and in

the strength of his might!

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Edify #Coach

'One Another' Series - Clothe Yourselves With Humility Towards One Another

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership. 

Today’s episode comes from 1 Peter, chapter 5; the last portion of verse 5 and all of verse 6. 

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

There is much for us to apply, to put into action, in this short passage.

Firstly, the apostle Peter instructs us to “clothe yourselves”.  This is an action step; it is something about which we must be intentional.  To “clothe” implies that we must put on humility.  We must wear it like a garment.  Good and godly leaders choose to model servant leadership.

Secondly, Peter explains why this is the Lord’s desired behavior for us.  He “opposes the proud.”  Leaders, if we want God’s favor, then we must be humble before him and before others. If we act out of our own ego; if our “leadership” is motivated by personal gain or fame, this is something God cannot bless.  Rather, we will face His opposition.

There’s a rather strange expression in Acts 26:14 when Paul (formerly Saul) was recounting his experience on the way to Damascus.  He was told by a voice from heaven (the text is in red letters indicating it was Christ Jesus speaking to him).  “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” One commentary explains this expression thusly. “To ‘kick against the goads’ is nothing less than an exercise in vanity; futile and pointless. Paul had to learn the hard way that resistance to Jesus was a losing battle — hopeless.”

Similarly, if we fail to submit ourselves “under God’s mighty hand” we will find ourselves, like Saul, in opposition to the Lord and His desires for our lives. 

Finally, I greatly appreciate the way that Peter concludes this passage.  There is a reward for our humble obedience.  “That he may lift you up in due time.  I found this phrase “due time” to be interesting, so I did some research.  It comes from the Greek word “kairo” which is used 86 times in the Bible and means, “fitting season, opportunity, or occasion … the proper time.”

As we are humble with one another and before the Lord, at just the right time He will lift us up. And we can trust that His timing for that is always perfect.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Marriage Series - Build Each Other Up Part 1

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

God has called married couples to live together in loving harmony and peaceful partnership.  Now, there are many deeds of love that married partners do for each other.  They provide food and prepare food.  They provide clothing and shelter. Married couples give wise counsel to each other.  They serve each other and give each other gifts.  These deeds of love are very important in a marriage.  But as important as loving deeds are, they are not enough.  For a marriage partnership to be long lasting and full of joy, words of love are needed as well.

Paul instructed the members of the church in Ephesus about words of love in Ephesians 4:29. He said that the Ephesians should not let any unwholesome talk come out of their mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Paul’s instructions are particularly applicable for the family and especially between husband and wife.

In every language, there are words that should not be spoken. If they are spoken, they show great disrespect. Of course, these words should never be used between husband and wife.  If these hurtful words are used, they will put an end to mutual trust.  But Paul is not just warning against “bad words” he is also warning Christians to avoid saying things that tear down relationships.

Unfortunately, many of us learned short destructive sentences when we were young.  These short sentences attribute foolishness, stupidity, and weakness to another person. They are designed to shame, humiliate, and embarrass the listener. Shaming, humiliating and embarrassing someone is the very opposite of loving a person. These negative descriptions are extremely dangerous for a marriage. Even when we feel angry, we must refrain from shaming or disparaging the husband or wife of our youth.  

But love is far more than refraining from doing evil.  Love is a positive good. So Paul says that instead of using unwholesome talk, we should build up our partners according to their needs.  What does that mean? It means that our words and phrases should be edifying, not destructive. Here are some phrases that husbands and wives should speak to each other frequently: I love you. Thank you for your kindness to me.  I’m so glad we are married. I appreciate you so much.  You are a good mother for our children. (Or, you are a good father for our children). You are so smart.  You are so talented.  You are a good provider. Thank you for what you did today. You did a good job. I’m glad God brought us together.

Every husband and wife should find time and opportunity to say several of these phrases to their mate every day. Phrases like these build up a marriage. They build trust. They banish shame. In a very real way, they are spiritual warfare because they contradict the devil’s lies.

Remember, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Edify

 

Marriage Series - Husbands Love Your Wives Part 2

Hello this is Multiply a podcast to encourage village church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden, your host today. I have the privledge of sharing today about husbands loving their wives.  This is such an easy, yet important subject to look at. I say it is easy because Jesus loves us and as followers we are part of the bride of Christ and His love for us never ends and has given us this example of pure love. 

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor and approval from the Lord.

The word GOOD in the Hebrew definition says this word means = best, beautiful, cheerful, joyful, precious, sweet, well favored and of great wealth.  

This is a powerful group of words to explain God’s favor down upon our lives concerning His love and wellbeing for us.  God knows what we need even when we do not know at that time. When I had the grace of God on my life and had the honor to marry my wife I really had no clue of what I needed in my life. I had no clue what life would be like or what the future would look like. I am so thankful that God knew what I needed even after 35 years.  1 Peter 3:18 says, in the same way you husbands live with your wives in an understanding way… Here Peter was helping us in the fact that the power of what God has given us as husbands a powerful tool to complete us. 

We are to love our wives as the most precious gift other that His salvation that He could give us. It is also as church planters, leaders in the church to model our relationship with our wives as a precious gift that God has given. I had no clue the true gift God blessed me with but as I grew I learned and still learn and grow in understanding of the blessed relationship I have with my wife. God knew I needed a prayer partner that knows when and how to bind together in the important spiritual union of prayer. Church planter, leader, Pastor if your wife is with you spiritually then there is power according to God’s word, to agree together and see what HE will do. 

What God gives is so precious, sweet, and powerful so why do we many times forget to use what He has given us to use. Husbands’ love your wives appreciate the gift God has given to you both and trust that God knows what He is doing. Trust that the Lord can speak to your wife to help you and to speak into your life and encourage you. I believe this is a great underutilized gift from God. When we fail to utilize the gifts, God gives we only forfeit the added blessings and cannot achieve or will not achieve all that God has planned. We are to love and cherish our wives so that the Lord can work through us as a team to accomplish all He needs us to do. 

It is my desire that we as husbands can fully understand God’s design for our marriages and can model this for the church. We can accomplish this only through the power of His Holy Spirit in appreciating what God has given us to use. God gives what we need in this very moment and throughout our entire lives and he gave us His best. He gave us our wife, our life long partner to see His love flow through. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Who will you share this message with today?

Marriage Series - Polygamy and It's Problems Part 2

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

A week or so ago, I shared a podcast episode that talked about the suffering and division that came to Abraham and his decedents because of their practice of polygamy. Both Abraham and Jacob violated God’s original design for marriage when they each married a second wife. And the consequences of their polygamy were not pretty: jealousy, mistrust, fighting, and even attempted murder.  The stories of the patriarchs in the book of Genesis should be enough to warn any young man to avoid polygamy at all costs. God had a beautiful idea in mind. He said that a man should leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife so the two would become one.  We need to always remember his good and gracious plan!

But it is very likely that you have known a family in which there was one husband and two or more wives. Perhaps you were born into such a family or perhaps you yourself entered into such a marriage before you know the will of God concerning marriage: one man marries one woman. If so, you understand very well what I am talking about when I mention the very common consequences of polygamy: jealousy, envy, selfishness, division, and even hatred.

I remember talking to a West African man who was the oldest son of the fourth wife of his father. His father was the village chief. His mother died and he was very sad. Then, his father, the chief, died.  The sons of his father’s first wife made sure that my friend and his sisters inherited nothing from their father.  My friend had to leave the technical school where he was studying to make his way as a laborer in the capital city. His aunts said they would take care of his younger sisters. But they did not. My friend’s little sisters, the chief’s daughters, suffered horribly at the hands of evil men.

Shortly after my friend told me this story, I shared the Good News of Jesus with him.  I used the Three Circles Gospel presentation.  It starts with these words. “The world in which we live is broken.”  We both wept as I said those words. My young friend had observed first hand that the world is broken.  He and his sisters suffered greatly because his father ignored God’s original design for marriage.  Our decisions have consequences and those consequences last a long time and travel a long way.  Even years after his father’s death, my friend and his sisters were suffering and grieving over the consequences of his father’s and his half-brothers actions. 

Stories like these are innumerable.  You yourself may be living through a story like this one. You may have friends who are experiencing this kind of grief right now.

But the Good News is that our God is a redeemer.  He takes what is broken and puts it back together again. He mends the brokenhearted.  He heals what has been injured because of our parents’ blindness.  You can be a part of God’s healing, redeeming work.  Warn everyone you can of the long-term, negative consequences of polygamy. Help the young people in your churches form healthy marriages based on God’s original design. Teach the children of polygamous fathers to do everything they can to live at peace with all of their father’s children. It won’t be easy. But God is with you. And so, your efforts will bear fruit for generations to come.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Faithfulness

'One Another' Series - Bear With and Forgive One Another

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.  

Today’s episode comes from Colossians 3:13. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (NIV).  The Message says it a bit differently.  “Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.”

The context in the last half of Colossians 3 is dealing with relationships in the Body of Christ.  A few weeks ago, I shared from verse 16 where we are to “teach and admonish one another”.  

In today’s text, “bear with” and “forgive” are referring to those who have either wronged us or are troublesome to deal with.  Perhaps you can think of some individuals with challenging personalities or behaviors. My wife and I sometimes refer to such people as “extra grace required”. I think that the Apostle Paul had something like this in mind when he wrote these instructions to the church at Colossae.  

Leaders need to set the example and lead the way in “bearing with” challenging personalities and behaviors.  By extending grace, we minimize conflict in the Body.  On the other hand, if the leader erupts in frustration or anger, it sets everyone on edge emotionally, and strife is often the result.  

Paul goes a bit further in his instruction.  “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  The Message elaborates on this with “quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.”  

• Forgive quickly – when we forgive an offense quickly, the matter doesn’t have time to escalate. The transgression is dealt with and resolved and both parties are able to move forward.  Leaders set the example.

• Forgive completely – in 1 Corinthians 13:1 (the love chapter), we read that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” To forgive completely is to refuse to “keep score”, to refuse to bring the matter up again … or repeatedly.  Having said that, “forgive completely” does not always imply entirely forgetting about the situation.  When serious matters occur, trust may need to be re-built, and that can take time.

• Forgive as the Master forgave you – Paul has a reminder for those of us who may struggle to forgive. Our model for forgiveness is Christ. If He was able to hang on the cross and say, “Father, forgive them …” then any offence that we need to forgive seems trivial compared to what Jesus endured and forgave.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Marriage Series - Polygamy and It's Problems Part 1

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Why do Christians make such a big deal about a man marrying only one wife?  All over the world, for thousands of years, polygamy has been a common practice.  Men marry multiple wives. Or men have a wife and multiple concubines. Or men have a wife and a mistress.  Sometimes polygamy is supported by the laws of the land. Sometimes it is not. But we have to admit, polygamy is very, very common. So why do Christians insist that polygamy is to be avoided and that marriage is between one man and one woman?

 

There are two reasons Christians oppose polygamy. The first reason is because God has designed human beings for monogamous marriage.  Polygamy means marriage with many women as wives of one man. Monogamy means one wife. God’s original design was for one man, Adam, to be married to one woman, Eve.  God set this as a pattern right from the start.  In Matthew 19:5, Jesus references creation and describes marriage by saying, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Two become one. Three do not become one.  Three cannot become one.  But one man and one woman can indeed become one flesh. Monogamy is God’s original plan for marriage.

 

But there is another reason Christians make a big deal about marrying only one wife. We know from observing the world that polygamy is full of problems and horrible consequences that should be avoided if we want to live in peace with our family. Just look at the problems that came to Abraham when he took Hagar to be his second wife: jealousy, conflict, rejection. You can read all about it in Genesis 16.  From the day Abraham took a second wife, he and his family began to suffer. They suffered even though his first wife, Sarah said it would be OK. It was not.

 

Or look at Abraham’s grandson Jacob. His marriages are described in Genesis 30. Jacob had two wives, Leach and Rachel. But he did not, he could not, love them equally. Jacob loved Rachel, but Leah was not loved. Even so, Leah did give birth to six sons and one daughter. Still Rachel had no children. So she became very jealous of her husband’s first wife. There was no unity in that three-way marriage. There was no harmony or mutual understanding. When Rachel finally had a child, she named him Joseph.  But the jealousy between his mother and his father’s first wife caused him great problems.  His half-brothers hated him so much they wanted to kill him. Only by God’s grace did Joseph survive their plan to murder him.

 

We see from the Bible, and from observing life today, that the world we live in is broken. Because we have rebelled against God and have chosen to go our own way, we forget that God’s original design is very good for us and for our children.  Brothers and sisters do not forget the goodness of God shown in creation. Help your people choose God’s good and gracious design for marriage: one man and one woman together in loving unity.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Faithfulness #Marriage

Marriage Series - Husbands Love Your Wives Part 1

Hello, I am Daneille Snowden, and this is Multiply, a podcast to encourage Pastors, Christian leaders and church planters. 

Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

As I read this and have often studied this scripture, I observe the example of the sacrificial love of Jesus being challenged to the husband in the marital relationship. Sacrifice is not a popular word and action is it! Laying aside our own wants and desires to help and care for the ones we love is hard!

Honestly, this is something learned and is not natural to anyone. How does a husband love this way? Paul did help with that by pointing directly to Jesus as the supreme example of this love. Jesus could have stayed in heaven with His Heavenly Father. But He didn’t! He lived out a day-by-day life of discipline, humility, and even hard work. He turned the other cheek when He could have said, “No I don’t want to do this!” But He did – He focused on the entire population of men, women and children and walked through the path of persecution and death so we all might know what LOVE is!

I personally can say I was blessed as a daughter watching my father lay his life down for my beautiful mother. I too have a husband that sacrifices things as he only wants to simply make me happy and feel loved. He affirms me in my call as a wife, mother, and minister of the Gospel. It strengthens me to continue to do and even be even more! 

That brings us back to how a man and women in marriage are to be SELFLESS! They are to be servants who serve one another, bettering one another in all they say and do. Husbands, do we affirm our wives? Do we lift them up with words of encouragement? Do we help them with even the simplest of the day-to-day tasks, exhibiting the servant character of Jesus? Some wives become bitter because they do not feel appreciated, or even needed. But when they are loved in the fashion of how Christ loved the church, it builds them up to be even more of who God created them to be. A better wife, a better mother, and a better minister to others! Also, a better servant of God too; in her worship and service to Him.

Husbands, Jesus put the souls of all men and women before Himself; in so doing, may I challenge you as the Apostle Paul did to start each day to LOVE YOUR WIVES as JESUS LOVED THE CHURCH! 

Thank you for listening today, will you share this message with others? Also join us on Facebook, YouTube and on our website vcpencouragement.org.

Marriage Series - Be On Your Guard Against Divorce Part 2

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Last week we thought about God’s declaration through the prophet Malachi.  The Lord says to all who are married, “Be on your guard, do not be unfaithful.”  So we considered ways to be faithful to the wife God has given us. We emphasized the importance of completely avoiding sexual and emotional bonding with any other woman. We said to both husbands and wives “Do not be unfaithful; do not bond with a person who is not your spouse.”

 

When we teach others to follow Christ, it is easy to say, “Do not sin. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not be unfaithful.”  But it is harder to say, “Here is what you should do to live a life that pleases God. Here is what you should do to live a life that is blessed by God.  Here is what you should do to live the abundant life Christ bought for you.”  But as church planters, it is critical that we give positive instruction, not just negative warning.  

 

God in his grace gives us insight into what he has in mind for marriage. In Malachi 2:14 he speaks to the men of Israel telling them why he no longer accepts their offerings. His reason is this, “You have been unfaithful to [your wife], though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”

 

Here is a great insight. It teaches all of us how to live faithfully. We must view our spouse as our partner, our permanent partner.  God says, “She is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”  

 

So what is a partner? Partners are people who have shared resources and shared goals. Partners work together to achieve their shared goals.  Do you know what your wife’s goals are?  Women, do you know what your husband’s goals are?  Have you ever sat down and talked about what is truly important to your spouse? Have you listened intently and really worked to understand your spouse’s goals?  As husbands and wives you are partners. As partners, you have shared goals. What are they?  

Husbands and wives should have goals related to each other’s health and welfare. They should have goals related to their children and their children’s welfare.  Christian husbands and wives should have shared goals related to their service to the Lord and ministry in and through their church.  These goals should be communicated to each other with clarity.  These goals should become a matter of prayer. These goals should result in coordinated action so they can be achieved.

 

But before you can begin to work together to achieve those shared goals, you have to know what is truly important in life to your husband or wife. So here is my word of encouragement to husbands and wives today. Take time to talk about your goals and aspirations. Listen to the wife of your youth. Understand what she longs for. Pray with her, support her in the godly goals the Lord has placed in her heart. Wives, listen to your husband. His goals may seem confusing to you at first. But listen. He is your partner. When you understand his God-given goals, affirm them. Pray with him for his goals to be achieved. Help him. You are his partner.  When you understand your husband or wife to be your partner, your life partner, with whom you achieve heartfelt, God-given goals, faithfulness becomes much easier. Honor your spouse as your partner and enjoy the blessings of God.

 

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

'One Another Series - Do Not Slander or Grumble Against One Another

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed

through the lens of leadership.

Today’s podcast comes from two verses in the book of James. 4:11 and 5:9. Unlike other scriptures thus far in this

series, rather than dealing with things that we are to do, today’s scriptures instruct us regarding behaviors to avoid as

we interact with one another.

The first portion of James 4:11 admonishes us “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.”  In 5:9, James

elaborates on this theme with “Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The

Judge is standing at the door!”

To slander is to make a false statement that damages another person’s reputation.

To grumble against someone is to complain about them in an annoyed way.

I can’t speak for others; but if I am honest and keeping score, I might be one out of two on these. By this, I’m saying that

while I may not slander others, I can be prone to becoming annoyed with and complaining about others sometimes.

This falls short of James’ instruction.

One might ask. “Why should I not slander or grumble against another?” Here are some harmful consequences that

come to mind:

 This behavior damages our personal relationship – and our ministry relationship – with the other person

 As a leader, such behavior reduces our followers’ loyalty to us and likely to the organization as well

 When others see the leader behave in these harmful ways, they will tend to model our bad example. This can

lead to a toxic work or church environment that negatively impacts many people.

 Slander, that is, intentionally trying to damage the reputation of another person, creates strife within the Body

of Christ. This, too, is toxic and extremely harmful.

 When unbelievers see us treating others this way, it reinforces their bad opinion of Christianity. They may think,

“if that is the way they treat one another, I don’t want any part of it.”

Before I close, I must warn us of the outcome of these behaviors toward one another. James clearly cautions us that

“you will be judged.” In my English translation, it is the Judge (uppercase J), not judge (lower case) who is watching. The

context, in the previous verse, is the Lord’s second coming and the judgment associated with that event.

Be careful with the example that we set. Others are watching and will follow. We want to build up and not tear down.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.