Gossip Goes High Tech

Well, I just once again read a internet screed written by a friend of mine attacking other friends of mine and felt like weeping. What is so incredibly sad about this is that everyone involved is a Christian. Granted, each person involved feels like they followed Biblical principles and the other person is plainly wrong and has destroyed their life. They feel like they have no recourse other than to spread their accusations on the net. The attacked party feels like they have no recourse other than to respond. So, anyone reading these sites feels dirty and soiled and can hardly think of anyone on either side the same way anymore. And our dirty laundry - our lack of conformity to Christ - is shouted before the world.

Wouldn't it be better to be wronged?

That's what keeps going through my head. Is God not in His heaven? Is He not able to bring sinners to justice? Must we attack the reputation of fellow believers before the entire world?

I know, I've heard all the reasons: These people plainly aren't real Christians. I need to warn people about them. I need to make sure others aren't hurt by them. It's the only way I have to be made right.

I understand that if my reputation had been attacked, if we'd lost what our friends are saying that they have, I would no doubt desire to do the same thing. But, oh how I hope the Lord would give me the faith and grace not to. For it seems better to be wronged than to parade our disunity and ill-feelings before the world.

And to those who provoked all this anger, was there some way to avoid hurting a brother or sister this much? Some way to restore the relationship? Some way to be wronged rather than destroy each other?

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21

May it be so. I don't ever want to read another one of those as long as I live.