You may feel it no sin to gossip and talk nonsense, but this grieves your Saviour, and saddens the heavenly angels. {KC 64.1}

Those who criticize and condemn one another are breaking God’s commandments, and are an offense to Him. They neither love God nor their fellow beings. Brethren and sisters, let us clear away the rubbish of criticism and suspicion and complaint, and do not wear your nerves on the outside. Some are so sensitive that they cannot be reasoned with. Be very sensitive in regard to what it means to keep the law of God, and in regard to whether you are keeping or breaking the law. It is this that God wants us to be sensitive about (GCB April 1, 1903).

We are not to be tattlers, or gossipers, or talebearers; we are not to bear false witness. We are forbidden by God to engage in trifling, foolish conversation, in jesting, joking, or speaking any idle words. We must give an account of what we say to God. We will be brought into judgment for our hasty words that do no good to the speaker or to the hearer. Then let us all speak words that will tend to edification. Remember that you are of value with God. Allow no cheap, foolish talk or wrong principles to compose your Christian experience. {FE 458.1}

There are some, both men and women, who gossip more than they pray. They have not clear spiritual discernment. They are far from God. When they talk with the patients, their attitude seems to say, Report and we will report it. {MM 212.4}

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

Here is a person who hates but what does he do? He dissembles with his lips. There’s a brother you don’t like even though you’re kind to him, but inside you don’t really like him. Then with your lips you dissemble him, pull him apart, talk about him. This is tale bearing. This is what happens if you hate your brother. You’ll pull him apart in your speech between one another or to others. That is a sign of hatred in your heart whether you acknowledge it or not.

Gossipers and news-carriers are a terrible curse to neighborhoods and churches. Two-thirds of all the church trials arise from this source. {SA 162.1}

Two thirds of church trials arise from gossip. The prayer of Christ is that we could be perfected in one. That we can be right, stand for that which is right and yet come together in total harmony without eating each other or pulling out each other’s’ beams, motes or anything else we see amongst each other. Satan wants to create problems and he thinks a good way to bring 66% in the church is to get some talking happening. Isaiah describes the experience of gossip.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Here is a description of slaying with blood without literally doing it. You can say I haven’t killed anybody but here muttering perverseness and no one calls for justice. Isn’t that true when two people are talking negatively about another person, the other person never corrects the first for murder because it doesn’t seem like murder. None calls for justice. It’s unjust to do such things, but no one cares. It says they conceive mischief. What does conceive mean? They give birth, they make it up.

Isaiah 59:5 They hatch cockatrice’ [snakes] eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

Here is a conception, a spreading of eggs of a pest. What cane toads do in Queensland, gossip does in the church. How can you pull it back? It’s a conception.

We must learn to place the best possible construction upon doubtful conduct of others. . . . If we are ever suspecting evil we are in danger of creating what we allow ourselves to suspect. . . . {OHC 237.2}

Do you have a problem with your brother? Do you think they don’t like you because you don’t like them? Do you talk about them? Do they hear that you’ve talked about them and then they really don’t like you when before they didn’t have a problem with you? You just assumed they did. In talking about them you’ve created the problem that you perceived to be wrong, where before God it may have been the right action.

We cannot pass along without sometimes having our feelings hurt and our temper tried, but as Christians we must be just as patient, forbearing, humble, and meek as we desire others to be. Oh, how many thousand good acts and deeds of kindness that we receive . . . pass from the mind like dew before the sun, while imaginary or real injury leaves an impression which it is next to impossible to efface! The very best example to give to others is to be right ourselves, {OHC 237.2}

The best way to help your brother get the mote out of his eye is to be right yourself and get the beam out of yours. That’s the best thing you can do.

… and then leave ourselves, our reputation, with God and not show too great anxiety to right every wrong impression and present our case in a favorable light. . . . {OHC 237.2}

The neglect to cultivate tender consideration and forbearance for one another has caused dissension, distrust, faultfinding, and general disunion. God . . . calls upon us to put away this great sin and to strive to answer the prayer of Christ that His disciples may be one as He is one with the Father. . . . It is the special work of Satan to cause dissension, . . . that the world should be deprived of the most powerful testimony Christians can give it that God has sent His Son to bring into harmony turbulent, proud, envious, jealous, bigoted minds. . . . {OHC 237.3}

66% of church problems arise through gossip and talking. We all want to answer to prayer of Christ, so we need to consider the workings of gossip. Satan’s special work is to conceive and bring forth mischief, create something that’s not real. How did Satan do this in Heaven? Do you know how Heaven fell into disarray? The capital of this Universe had war in it. How did it happen? Listen carefully, because how the pen of inspiration describes this is exactly how it happens in the church.

Leaving his place in the immediate presence of the Father, Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. He worked with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealed his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God.

The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the truthfulness of our positions. {AH 441.1}

Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would shun the leprosy. {Ed 236.3}

According to the Spirit of Prophecy we can be straining gnats and eating humans. This is what God is saying is a huge problem; 66% of church problems come because of this. If someone talks to you with reverence of the lovely things of God and then just drops in a few slights about the character of somebody else, does your perception of that other person change the next time you see them? Has that happened to you? The problem has been created. It doesn’t actually exist. Even if it does, it’s a gnat, not a camel. The problem of talking about the negativities of other people should be shunned like leprosy, yet it’s never talked about because it’s socially acceptable to gossip and talking about somebody else. To think you have insight on someone else or that you know what other people are doing in the church. Someone can say a few very minor things, but your mind will just change. If you sense your mind changing against your brother pray to God, because Satan is working upon your mind against the people that are close to you. We shouldn’t talk negatively about anybody. We can talk about the evils of the Catholic Church, but it is the problem of talking about the evils of the person that you naturally don’t like that we are addressing here. What happens within. We shouldn’t talk negatively about anybody. We should uplift the truth. Should we even listen if people talk negatively about someone else?

When we listen to a reproach against our brother, we take up that reproach. To the question, “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” the psalmist answered, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” {5T 58.1}

Who is going to be in heaven? Those that don’t even listen to negativity about their brethren even if they are right. God is in his Church, he will work upon that person. Your love, kindness and own strictness upon yourself will speak more than any of your words could ever do. I’m not suggesting you become slack and ecumenical, be strict with yourself and compassionate to others.

What a world of gossip would be prevented if every man would remember that those who tell him the faults of others will as freely publish his faults at a favorable opportunity. {5T 58.2}

Would you like your faults to be published to other people? If someone talks of someone else’s problem to you, you wouldn’t want to listen to it because if they knew your problems that person would go and tell it to somebody else. What a world of gossip would be prevented if people would remember this.

I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition of God’s professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can interpret to their injury. “Now,” say these self-constituted judges, “we have facts. We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they can not clear themselves.” They wait for a fitting opportunity and then produce their bundle of gossip and bring forth their tidbits. {5T 94.3}

Are you storing up little problems for the right time when you can say, way back then they did this and therefore they should be dealt like this? What’s been happening all that time in your life?

In their efforts to carry a point, persons who have naturally a strong imagination are in danger of deceiving themselves and deceiving others. They gather up unguarded expressions from another, not considering that words may be uttered hastily and hence may not reflect the real sentiments of the speaker. But those unpremeditated remarks, often so trifling as to be unworthy of notice, are viewed through Satan’s magnifying glass, pondered, and repeated until molehills become mountains. {5T 95.1}

Someone may have said something wrong, but it might have been a hasty remark that they weren’t really thinking about. Then it travels on to this person and that person and suddenly it is a huge problem that actually doesn’t even exist. It’s blindness.

Separated from God, the surmisers of evil become the sport of temptation. They scarcely know the strength of their feelings or the effect of their words. While condemning the errors of others, they indulge far greater errors themselves. Consistency is a jewel. {5T 95.1}

Is there no law of kindness to be observed? Have Christians been authorized of God to criticize and condemn one another? Is it honorable, or even honest, to win from the lips of another, under the guise of friendship, secrets which have been entrusted to him, and then turn the knowledge thus gained to his injury? Is it Christian charity to gather up every floating report, to unearth everything that will cast suspicion on the character of another, and then take delight in using it to injure him? Satan exults when he can defame or wound a follower of Christ. He is “the accuser of our brethren.” Shall Christians aid him in his work? {5T 95.2}

Shall we be Satan’s helpers? Satan is blind and if we are blind he will lead us and we will both fall into the ditch. When we look at our lives we may think that we’ve talked to people and come across wrong or have thought negatively about someone. Then when you come to fellowship you see it all in a different light. This is the hallmark of blindness. The good thing is that Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind. If we feel condemned about something that we’ve done, it’s a good thing because we were condemned already before we even knew it. Now is an opportunity to repent before God. John the Baptist’s and Jesus Christ’s message was repent, repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Repentance is a prerequisite of being ready for Jesus to come. When we realise that we are blind and have defamed other people, repent. Here is a blind man, who realised that he was blind.

Let not your ears listen to gossip from any one. If all would refuse to hear evil of their neighbor, the tale-bearer would soon seek other employment. {HS 122.3}

They will not go from house to house to engage in fashionable gossip, dwelling upon the faults, wrongs, and inconsistencies of their neighbors. They will feel so great a burden of care for their own children that they can find no time to take up a reproach against their neighbor. {AH 250.1}

We think with horror of the cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling flesh of his victim; but are the results of even this practice more terrible than are the agony and ruin caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation, dissecting character? Let the children, and the youth as well, learn what God says about these things: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” {AH 440.5}

The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the truthfulness of our positions. {AH 441.1}

Satan has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord to them is dwelt upon with trifling or sarcastic comment. The minister’s character, motives, and actions, and the conduct of fellow members of the church, are freely discussed. Severe judgment is pronounced, gossip or slander repeated, and this in the hearing of the unconverted. Often these things are spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children. Thus are destroyed respect for God’s messengers, and reverence for their message. And many are taught to regard lightly God’s word itself. {COL 45.1}

When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, the effects of their pernicious habit are manifest. All partake freely of the favorite beverages, and as the stimulating influence is felt, their tongues are loosened, and they begin the wicked work of talking against others. Their words are not few or well chosen. The tidbits of gossip are passed around, too often the poison of scandal as well. These thoughtless gossipers forget that they have a witness. An unseen Watcher is writing their words in the books of heaven. All these unkind criticisms, these exaggerated reports, these envious feelings, expressed under the excitement of the cup of tea, Jesus registers as against himself. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” [MATT. 25:40.] {CTBH 36.1}

If the time that is worse than wasted in gossip, in ministering to pride, or for the gratification of appetite, were devoted with equal interest to the study of the Bible, what encouragement would be given to our Sabbath schools! {CSW 42.1}

The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the community, the neighborhood, and the home–the habit of backbiting, gossip, ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven. {Ed 235.3}

Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would shun the leprosy. {Ed 236.3}

You may feel it no sin to gossip and talk nonsense, but this grieves your Saviour, and saddens the heavenly angels. {FE 457.2}

The disposition to gossip, which is so wide-spread, is displeasing to God. If those who indulge in unkind criticism or idle talk could realize that an angel of God is noting down their words, and that all are to appear against them in the Judgment, they would be far more careful as to what is entered on that book of records. How must the continual fault-finding appear to the heavenly messengers who are sent forth to minister to God’s people. Would that the eyes of all might be opened, that they might see the holy angels walking among them. Surely they would be more guarded; instead of judging their brethren and sisters, and talking of their weaknesses, they would be seeking God with the whole heart. {HS 213.1}

We are exhorted to love as brethren, to be kind, courteous, forbearing, in honor preferring one another. Love for God and for one another constitutes the divine credentials which the children of God bear to the world. “By this,” said Jesus, “shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Those who cherish this love will sacredly guard the interests of one another. No evil reports will be carried; tattling and gossip will cease; Christ and the truth will be magnified. {HS 214.1}

None who continue to cherish a querulous, fault-finding disposition can enter heaven; for they would mar its peace and harmony. They will be left outside the city of God, with all who stir up strife. Nor should they be permitted to remain in the church to prevent unity and destroy its usefulness. Let them be reproved, and if they do not change their course, let them be separated from the church. But all may, if they will, conquer these evil traits. The members of the church should pledge themselves to walk together in harmony. Each should set a guard over his own heart, not permitting himself to think evil of his brethren, but giving them credit for all the good qualities they possess. We should store the mind with the precious promises and instructions of God’s word. When Satan seeks to divert the attention to things of no profit, then we should think and talk of these heavenly promises, and the tempter will be vanquished. By thus battling day by day, with earnest prayer and determined faith, all may gain the victory. Those who have most to overcome will be like the sinner to whom Christ forgave much, and who loved much; and they will at last stand nearest to the throne. {HS 214.2}

I wish we could have a pledge in our hearts that we would not utter any one word against a brother or a sister. Remember that they also are tempted, it may be more strongly than you. . . . Those who are really the most erring are in greatest need of your help. Do not gossip about them and make remarks about their character, but go to them in the love of Jesus and the love of the truth and try to help them. . . . {HP 289.2}

I saw that when sisters who are given to talk get together, Satan is generally present; for he finds employment. He stands by to excite the mind and make the most of the advantage he has gained. He knows that all this gossip and talebearing and revealing of secrets and dissecting of character separates the soul from God. It is death to spirituality and a calm religious influence. {2MCP 779.1}

Sister_____ sins greatly with her tongue. She ought by her words to have an influence for good, but she frequently talks at random. Sometimes her words put a different construction upon things than they will bear. Sometimes there is exaggeration. Then there is misstatement. There is no intention to misstate, but the habit of much talking and talking upon things that are unprofitable has been so long cherished that she has become careless and reckless in her words and frequently does not know what she is stating herself. This destroys any influence for good she might have. It is time there was an entire reform in this respect. Her society has not been prized as it would have been had she not indulged in this sinful talking.–2T 185, 186 (1868). {2MCP 779.2}

Pouring Troubles Into Human Ears.–Sometimes we pour our troubles into human ears, tell our afflictions to those who cannot help us, and neglect to confide all to Jesus, who is able to change the sorrowful way to paths of joy and peace.–ST, Mar 17, 1887. (HC 97.) {2MCP 779.3}

When anyone comes to you with a tale about your neighbor, you should refuse to hear it. You should say to him, “Have you spoken of this matter to the individual concerned?” Tell him he should obey the Bible rule, and go first to his brother, and tell him his fault privately, and in love. If the directions of God were carried out, the floodgates of gossip would be closed. {OHC 293.2}

If all would cease gossip and evil communication, devoting the time to contemplation of Christ and the plan of salvation, they would add the knowledge essential to a growth in grace. We are to add knowledge from “whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.” God wants us to understand why He has placed us in the world, and given us the sacred burden of life to bear. He would have us develop the faculties of mind and body, that we may be a blessing to those around us, and that His glory may be reflected from us to the world. It is not His will that our powers should be bound up in torpid stupidity and ignorance. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” {PCP 17.3}

You should obtain for apprentices those who are promising youth, those who love God. But if you place them in connection with others who have no love for God, they are in constant danger from the irreligious influence. The halfhearted and worldly, those who are given to gossip, who dwell on the faults of others, while neglecting their own, should be separated from the work.–7T 202. {PM 76.4}

We have no time now to talk unbelief and to gossip, no time now to do the devil’s work. Let everyone beware of unsettling the faith of others by sowing seeds of envy, jealousy, disunion; for God hears the words, and judges, not by assertions, which are yea and nay, but by the fruit one’s course of action produces. “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). The seed sown will determine the character of the harvest.”–Manuscript 32a, 1896. {2SM 71.1}

What cares the vendor of gossip that he defames the innocent? He will not stay his evil work, though he destroy hope and courage in those who are already sinking under their burdens. He cares only to indulge his scandal-loving propensity. Even professed Christians close their eyes to all that is pure, honest, noble, and lovely, and treasure up what ever is objectionable and disagreeable, and publish it to the world. {5T 57.2}

What a world of gossip would be prevented if every man would remember that those who tell him the faults of others will as freely publish his faults at a favorable opportunity. We should endeavor to think well of all men, especially our brethren, until compelled to think otherwise. We should not hastily credit evil reports. These are often the result of envy or misunderstanding, or they may proceed from exaggeration or a partial disclosure of facts. Jealousy and suspicion, once allowed a place, will sow themselves broadcast, like thistledown. Should a brother go astray, then is the time to show your real interest in him. Go to him kindly, pray with and for him, remembering the infinite price which Christ has paid for his redemption. In this way you may save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins. {5T 58.2}

Among the lovers of gossip some are actuated by curiosity, others by jealousy, many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them. All these discordant elements are at work. Some conceal their real sentiments, while others are eager to publish all they know, or even suspect, of evil against another. {5T 94.2}

I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition of God’s professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can interpret to their injury. “Now,” say these self-constituted judges, “we have facts. We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they can not clear themselves.” They wait for a fitting opportunity and then produce their bundle of gossip and bring forth their tidbits. {5T 94.3}

Mutual love and confidence must be encouraged and strengthened in the members of the church. Let all, in the fear of God and with love to their brethren, close their ears to gossip and censure. Direct the talebearer to the teachings of God’s word. Bid him obey the Scriptures and carry his complaints directly to those whom he thinks in error. This united action would bring a flood of light into the church and close the door to a flood of evil. Thus God would be glorified, and many souls would be saved. {5T 609.3}

Let not one evil word escape our lips, because our lips, our voice, belong to the Lord, and must be consecrated to the Lord and to His service. These lips must not dishonor Jesus, for they belong to Him. He has bought them and I must speak nothing that will offend Jesus. My ears must be closed to evil. Thus day by day we can consecrate ourselves to God. The ears must not be defiled by listening to any gossip that faultfinding ones would have us hear, for I not only cause them to sin in allowing them to talk of others’ faults, but I sin myself in listening to them. I can prevent much evil speaking in thus having ears consecrated to God. I can say before the evil is done, “Let us pray,” then ask God to enlighten both our minds to understand our true relation to one another and our true relation to God. {UL 237.3}

-How careful we should be to have our words and actions in harmony with the sacred truths that God has committed to us! . . . When you are associated with one another, be guarded in your words. Let your conversation be of such a nature that you will have no need to repent of it. . . . If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this evilspeaking; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s Word forbids this kind of conversation.–RH Feb. 25, 1904. {VSS 126.1}

Few are without visible faults; in most persons careful scrutiny will reveal some defect of character; and upon these defects in others, some professed Christians delight to dwell. The habit strengthens with indulgence, and a love for gossip becomes their ruling passion. {RH, August 28, 1883 par. 5}

There are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even the best of men; but if they are not cherished, if they are repulsed as hateful, the soul is not contaminated with guilt, and no other is defiled by their influence. RH, Mar 27, 1888. {2MCP 432.2}

These plaguing besetting thoughts and feelings. One is envy. Someone in the church is promoted, is made much of, this eats at you. Why is this particular person so prominent among us all? This eats. Feelings of envy that won’t leave you. They keep on besetting us, it generates evil thinking, evil speaking. Evil thinking, the person or the people in the church or family, we know what is expected but they are not behaving themselves according to the high standards. They are behaving questionably and I can’t get it out of my thoughts. These evil things that I think pertain to different people. I can’t get it out of my thoughts. Then when I am together with friends, relatives and church members, I can’t stop. I have to gossip. It’s so much part of the system.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

We are exhorted to love as brethren, to be kind, courteous, forbearing, in honor preferring one another. Love for God and for one another constitutes the divine credentials which the children of God bear to the world. “By this,” said Jesus, “shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Those who cherish this love will sacredly guard the interests of one another. No evil reports will be carried; tattling and gossip will cease; Christ and the truth will be magnified. {HS 214.1}

Difficulties are often caused by the vendors of gossip, whose whispered hints and suggestions poison unsuspecting minds and separate the closest friends. Mischief-makers are seconded in their evil work by the many who stand with open ears and evil heart, saying: Report, . . . and we will report it. This sin should not be tolerated among the followers of Christ. No Christian parent should permit gossip to be repeated in the family circle or remarks to be made disparaging the members of the church. {5T 241.4}

We have no time now to talk unbelief and to gossip, no time now to do the devil’s work. Let everyone beware of unsettling the faith of others by sowing seeds of envy, jealousy, disunion; “–Manuscript 32a, 1896. {2SM 71.1}

Those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious cannot partake of the dish of nonsense, and folly, and backbiting. They will say decidedly, Take this dish away. I do not want to eat such food. It is not the bread from heaven. It is eating and drinking the very spirit of the devil; for it is his business to be an accuser of the brethren. FE 458

Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Those that judge others, are guilty of the very same act. If we judge others, we are also guilty of their sin.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

What will God do with people like Dan?

Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Privily = secrecy of tongue being slanderous. The pride of judging results in being cut off from God.

To unite with the fault finding element, to be accusers of the brethren, to take up the reproach they lay at your door is seconding the work of the enemy by playing yourself into his hands to make his work a success. TM page 266-267

The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind, pitiful, and courteous toward others. 5T 97

All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged. 5T 130

He who opens his heart to the suggestions of the enemy in evil surmisings and jealousy frequently misconstrues this evil-mindedness to be special foresight, discrimination or discernment to detect guilt and wrong motives in others; he regards it as a precious gift vouchsafed to him, and he draws apart from his brethren, with whom he should be in harmony. He climbs upon the judgment seat and shuts his heart against the one he supposes has erred, as though he himself were above temptation. Jesus separates from him, and leaves him to walk in the sparks of his own kindling. {15MR 180.2}

As you do that you forget there are circumstances in people’s lives that you are not aware of. This spirit of dealing with people in wrong doing is deceptive and harmful. It is the fruit of an unregenerate heart.

David

Psalms 55:12 For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But [it was] thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto the house of God in company.

This is the person who praised the Lord and said he hideth them in the pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Did David Provoke Gossip?

Did David not commit iniquity to provoke gossip? Didn’t he? Oh yes he did. He provoked slander and reproach. He is speaking like this in the Psalms but although he provoked slander, reproach and the strife of tongues, what did he do when he was convinced of sin? As for me, they are all talking about me, they are really ransacking me but as for me, what am I going to do?

Psalms 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

That is what he was doing while the other ones were entering into counsel and condemnation against him. Here is the true hearted Psalmist that had committed terrible iniquity.

Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

Isn’t that a reality when a person has done some grievous sins? That reality is always there

Psalms 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

He doesn’t excuse himself, he simply says I have really done your name damage. What was this Psalm a reference to? This is the Psalm of David the prophet when Nathan the prophet came unto him after he had gone to Bathsheba. This was iniquity to the fullest degree. Not only did he commit adultery but he murdered. He has done this enormous iniquity and he pleads with the Lord like that. What is written in reference to God’s wonderful care in reference to this?

Psalms 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

The Psalmist expresses his knowledge of God. God I’m going to throw myself into your arms, I’m broken and contrite and I’m not even going to offer an animal for sacrifice because you don’t want that. What do you really want? A broken and a contrite heart. I’m casting myself at your mercy and God will not despise this. He knew it.

Psalms 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

He is totally acknowledging his absolute iniquity and he is throwing himself at the mercy of God. Then he says Lord I need to be renewed in heart, I need to get clean in heart that has caused me to do these things. I desire to continue with you.

Psalms 51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

It is to such a person and people that Psalms 31:20 applies to. The one who desires the mercy and glory of God that he may be able to show among the people God’s wonderful glory. What does the first angel’s message say? Fear God and give him the glory. It is the person who wants to do that and is committed to that although he falls into iniquity and says I’ve fallen into dire trouble, I’ve sinned against you and I didn’t want to, but he pleads with God. This is the principle of whom God will hide from the pride of man whom God will tuck away in his pavilion from the strife of tongues.