Kudzu
by Web Admin, 2 years agoBe wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. - Romans 16:19
Today's Devotional Sriptures: 3 John 1-14
Kudzu was introduced into the United States from Japan in 1876 as an ornamental vine to help prevent erosion. But in the American South, kudzu has near-perfect conditions for growth and no natural predators, and it is now changed from ornamental to obnoxious. It spreads like cancer, up to one foot per day, destroying valuable forests by preventing trees from receiving sunlight. Slander and gossip are like kudzu. Such "godless chatter" is often overlooked or justified, but overnight it inflicts destruction. Today's text strongly condemns malicious talk that ravages Christian community.
Third John is one of two personal letters in the New Testament (the other is Philemon); Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus contain a personal address, but are intended to guide the larger church body. The elder begins this letter with a prayer for his "dear friend," which mirrors 2 John 1:4 (v. 2); he commends Gaius not only for his orthodoxy, but also for his orthopraxy (v. 3). Then the author praises Gaius for his warm hospitality toward the traveling missionaries, his fellow workers for the gospel who did not accept pay from those they were trying to reach (v. 7).
Next, the elder draws attention to a toxic, kudzu-like presence among the Christian community (vv. 9-10). He accuses a certain Diotrephes of three offenses: gossiping maliciously; refusing the missionaries hospitality; and further, preventing others from extending such courtesy. These misdeeds stem from Diotrephes's original rejection of the elder's authority. The central issue of 3 John is authority. Who shepherds the church in doctrine and discipline? Who is granted authority to teach and to determine truth from falsehood? Common manifestations of this dispute are slander and power struggles. The author ends his letter with a stark contrast to Diotrephes: Demetrius, who imitates what is good and maintains an honorable reputation among Christ's followers (vv. 11-12; cf. Rom. 16:19).
Apply the Word
Gossip is spreading personal or spectacular information about another; slander is speaking maliciously about others to blemish their reputation. Christ's followers should "avoid every kind of evil," including "godless chatter" (1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Tim. 5:13). In Woman of Influence, Pam Farrel suggests three questions as criteria to escape gossip: Would I say this if the person were here with me?; Do I have permission to share this?; Can the listener change the situation? If "yes" is not the answer to every question, do not speak.
Credits & Acknowledgements to: todayintheword.org
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