Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Everyone is a reporter of news. Whether good or bad, true or false, people report news. Facebook, Twitter and all other forms of social media are full of posts and tweets with this media style garbage everyday. From weather reporters, to on the scene of an accident breaking news. Professional photographers and film makers have nothing on us now with our smart phones. Just the other day, a friend on Facebook wrote this... "I wish people would check their facts about things before they post them. People at least Google it". I couldn't help but laugh because of the reliability of Google and some of the other sites.
Our problem is an age old problem. It deals with the ninth commandment of God to the children of Israel. Bearing false witness against our neighbors. False witness is enough to talk about all morning. But I want to look at another word in this scripture. The word, "bear". I think of bearing a burden or bearing a load. You see, when we speak things of others, especially if we have no clue of the story, then we become an assembly line of lies. We actually "bear" them. We carry it around with us. Sharing it, reporting it, re-posting it, tweeting it, carrying it like a load of rocks. With nothing but empty results.
My son Andrew loves a song from when he was a little boy. I found him singing it the other day (he is now 17). We can learn much from it. Take time to read it this morning.
The Rumor Mill
Well, let me tell you a story about a local enterprise,
there's one in every town, no matter what size.
It doesn't turn a profit or bring any revenue,
it's good for one thing and that's the damage it'll do.
It's called the rumormill (called the rumormill).
If it can be twisted, you can be sure that it will,
'cause there ain't nothing sacred ...... at the rumormill.
The people that work there are all volunteers,
their only qualification is a mouth and two big ears.
If the story's not clear enough, that's OK,
they just doctor it up and then send it on its way.
It doesn't matter who's involved or who is gonna hurt,
as long as folks are listening, they'll keep shoveling dirt ...
... at the rumormill (at the rumormill).
If it can be twisted, you can be sure that it will,
'cause there ain't nothing sacred ...... at the rumormill (the rumormill).
Now listen, my children, to this warning I make,
we've got a lot to lose, there's a lot at stake.
The Bible plainly states you're gonna reap what you sow,
and you'll be shown mercy by the mercy you show.
So shut your mouth and ask your friends to kindly do the same,
for you'll wind up as victim with no one else to blame ...
... at the rumormill (oh, the rumormill).
If it can be twisted, you can be sure that it will,
'cause there ain't nothing sacred ...... at the rumormill
Watch it here if you would like... http://youtu.be/-5h4vIc0T1U
