Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 29– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“You shall not go about as a talebearer among the people. You shall not in any way rebuke your neighbor and bring this sin upon him.” 

—Leviticus 19:16-17

Tale-bearing emits a poison in at least three directions; it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report is true or false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonor the Church and the name of the Lord. Most tongues need a bridle, not a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brothers as if by doing so they raised themselves. Noah’s two wise sons cast a covering over their father, but one who exposed him earned a fearful curse.

We ourselves may one day need a covering and silence from those around us. Let’s give it cheerfully to those who require it now. Let this be our family rule and personal bond: to speak evil of no man. The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christ-like, and under God’s blessing will be useful. [M&E]