Starving the Rumor Mill

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why it was done in such a way. They can listen and evaluate and respond to your concerns. If you have a gripe about your boss at work, don’t go around bad-mouthing them in the lunch room to your coworkers. Go directly to them. The difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism is a spirit of love with the other person’s best interests are in mind. If you have a concern at work, at church, with a friend, instead of spinning up the rumor mill with your best friends, pray about how you will present your fears to this person, this boss, this leader in a way that has their best interests, the groups best interests in mind. What would that look like? Once you spill out those words of gossip, of slander, or rumor they spread wildly, the damage has been done and it’s impossible to take them back. Once a young man spread around a piece of criticism about his elderly pastor which later proved only half true but split the church in two. He later apologized and asked the old man what he could do to atone for his wrong. The pastor grabbed a pillow, tucked it under his arm and led the fellow to the top of the church bell tower. The wind tugged at their hair and flapped their coattails as they looked out at the village and fields below them. The pastor handed the young man the pillow and said, “rip it open!” Perplexed he did what was told and the wind instantly seized the feathers tossing them in flurries into the air. A cloud of feathers whirled about their heads and then spread far and wide as thousands of feathers began falling beyond the village, settling on the sidewalks, streams, trees, hedges and deep grass. “Now” said the pastor, go and collect all the feathers and put them back in this pillow case.” All of them? But that is impossible! At which the Pastor kindly put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I know. That is how impossible it is to retrieve a criticism once spoken.”

This message from the Scriptures was presented at NORTHVIEW BIBLE CHURCH, Spokane, Washington. Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (“NASB”), © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 1996 by the Lockman foundation. Used by permission.

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“Starving the Rumor Mill”

Catalog No. 363

Nehemiah 6:5-9 Pastor Norm Schwab

Sermon Series: Nehemiah Tommy Hilfiger, a clothes designer known for his colorful preppy styles had supposedly appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and stated, “If I had known African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians would buy my clothes, I would not have made them so nice. I wish they wouldn’t buy my clothes. I made them for upper class whites.” According to the story, an outraged Winfrey immediately asked him to leave her show. The story spread like wildfire. It didn’t matter that alienating your core market is a terrible business strategy. It didn’t matter than Hilfiger started a non-profit organization to benefit inner city youth long before the rumor, or that he had donated 5 million to building a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington DC. Hilfiger had never said any of those things. In fact he had never even appeared on the show or met Oprah until she invited him on to squelch the rumor as untrue. I remember back in the 80’s my mother bought into a rumor that Proctor and Gamble was donating large portions of their profits to the church of Satan. The proof was the satanic symbol stamped on all their products. It may have looked like the man in the moon surrounded by 13 stars representing the American colonies, a logo the company had since 1851. But to some, it was really a horned devil complete with inverted 666 sign of beast in the curls of his beard. We had a number of P&G products in our home that mom promptly covered up the evil logo with masking tape. Proctor and Gamble had to deal with the 15,000 inquires they were getting every month. Rumors stick if they are somewhat surprising, but still support our existing biases. We are eager to believe bad things about people we envy. It’s human nature to pull down what has been raised so high. If we suspect big business is naturally pagan we are more likely to believe the rumor. If we suspect upscale clothes designers are targeting the privileged white then we are more likely to believe the rumor. Rumors play off our worries and fears that are very real. If you are convinced liberals are working hard to remove religion, you are more likely to believe the rumor that the new dollar coins will omit the “In God we Trust” motto. A study by the University of Maryland, in conjunction with World public opinion.org, in 2007 found that only 2 percent of Pakistanis believe Al Qaeda was responsible for 9/11. From that same group of Pakistan nationals, 27 percent thought America was responsible for the attacks. It was difficult for them to believe that fellow Muslims could have perpetrated these acts of violence. Fear breeds rumor because some, even the wildly

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outlandish ones, turn out to be true. Have you ever been the target of a false rumor or slicing bit of slander? At school, office, neighborhood or even church? Yes, sadly churches are too well known for gossip, backbiters and backstabbing. Chuck Swindoll says the number one enemy of the Christian is the tongue. It’s not drugs or infidelity or drinking or TV or the internet or differing worship styles. James 3:6 says that fleshy bit of muscle lodged between our teeth “is a fire, the very world of iniquity (V.8). No one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” It is impossible not be hurt by rumor and slander and gossip. The cutting remarks are designed to damage. They hurt and, too often like a forest fire, will devastate and wipe out. So this morning we are going to look at Nehemiah who found himself on the receiving end of a slanderous rumor attack. I want us to be able to identify what reckless rumor looks like, chase it out of the shadows where we can see it for all its ugliness and so we can be ready to respond to it when either we are on the receiving end, perhaps are tempted to bite the juicy bait and join in on a rumor or slander slicing. Turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Nehemiah chapter 6. This morning we will be looking to one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. His life is laid out for us in journal form so we can get behind his forehead; get under his scalp and understand his thoughts and feelings. It’s often difficult to get to know a leader. Sometimes they hold in their feelings and hurts. Nehemiah transparently gives us a look inside. Chapter 6:5-9 tells us the rumor mill is cranking up in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria…threatening to spread to the uttermost parts of the earth. Mark Twain said, “Rumor can run 7-1/2 times around the world while truth is just putting on its shoes.” It’s amazing how we humans tend to believe the worst and enjoy the superior feeling of gloating over another’s misfortune. Webster defines rumor as a circulated story of doubtful truth. Gossip is in the same family. Gossip is defined as casual conversation about the private lives of other people that has not been confirmed as true. Slander is the more muscle bound of the three. Slander is false statements made intentionally designed to damage another person’s reputation. It’s no wonder that in Proverbs 6:16-19, of the seven things that God hates, three of them are about the tongue. How can we help that rumor tongue, that gossip and slander tongue go on a diet? Wouldn’t it be great if we could starve that rumor mill to death? As I read Nehemiah 6:5-9, listen for the telltale signs of a rumor, of slander or gossip. Watch how Nehemiah responds. Here we go.

Lets read 6:5-9. Look at verse 6 which says, “It has been reported” and the end of the verse, “according to these reports.” Now days we might throw in, “well, you know what they have been saying. Who are they? Who is in this group?” The rumor plays off the fears and bias against any official from far away Susa showing up to take over power. When a rumor starts flying often the source is silent or unreachable, like verse 6. “Gashmu (also known as Geshem) the Arab says…” Rumors are also noted for their exaggerations and inaccuracies. Often there is an element of truth that gets distorted and played upon. (V. 6) “The Jews are planning to rebel against the king and you want to be their king, that is why you are rebuilding the wall. You have hired some prophets to prop up your leadership and install your own throne.” It was true that Jerusalem’s history was tainted with numerous rebellions. It was true that Nehemiah had come in and taken charge. It was true that they were rebuilding the wall, but Nehemiah wasn’t leading a rebellion. Nehemiah was providing money for the priests to be able to better do their job, but it wasn’t to promote Nehemiah’s agenda. It was to promote God’s agenda. There was a reason why this 5th letter was sent as (V.5) “an open letter.” Typically, letters exchanged between governing officials were written on papyrus or leather and then rolled up, tied and then secured with a wax or clay seal. But this was a public open letter written to spread out and be read by all. The goal of the letter was not to kill Nehemiah but to assassinate his character and reputation. Rumors are designed to damage. Nehemiah’s authority was questioned. Nehemiah’s motives were questioned. “you just want to become king.” His integrity was questioned, “You are a rebel”. His heart for following God was questioned. “You are hiring priests to promote your power.” Do you see the jockeying for power that is happening in Judah? Are you ever tempted to loosen your tongue just a bit so as to undermine someone God has placed in authority, just so we can look a little bit better than her or him? Rumors are designed to make the slanderer look better and the target look worse. (V.7) Sanballet appears to be so concerned for Nehemiah and have his best interests in mind. The wording here suggests Sanballet’s desire was to work at clearing Nehemiah of the charges that were leveled against him. “Come meet with me.” Let’s take counsel. I don’t want to take these things to the King, but I am a loyal subject and will be forced to if you don’t talk to us. I can help you clear these accusations up. Sanballet looks good and Nehemiah looks bad. Sanballet puts pressure on Nehemiah to respond, to meet, to deal, to compromise. Sanballet wanted Nehemiah to spend so much time defending himself he wouldn’t have time to finish the work. Rumors work at making the target look bad and slanderer look good.

It was not so subtle a threat. Kings back then were very nervous when hearing rumors about governors who allowed political aspirations to go to their heads. Any hint of rebellion was ruthlessly put down. At the very least King Artaxerxes would hear about the charges and recall Nehemiah back to Susa to defend himself. Here is the offer, Nehemiah. Come meet with me out at the plains of Ono or face getting recalled all the way back to Susa. Which will it be Nehemiah? I’ve got you trapped. That is what a rumor looks like and a salvo of slander looks like. Be watching for it. You may well become a target soon. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a rumor? Have you ever been the target? How should you respond when someone begins spreading vicious lies about you? My first reaction is to fight back. Go out to the plains of Ono and set the record straight. Blast back with an open, public email of my own. Have a few conversations that will expose and hurt them back. I want to be proven right. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been damaged. I want to defend my reputation. Look what Nehemiah does in verse 8. Like all problems, he meets it head on with a flat simple denial. “The things you are saying have not been done. You are making them up in your head. There is no basis for your accusations.” Nehemiah is not worried about his own reputation or how others might react to things out of his control. His goal is to be proven faithful, not to be proven right. What a great attitude to have when you are getting critical shots lobbed at you. When you are unjustly criticized, be boldly honest in responding to rumors, but never take revenge, no matter how much ammunition you have against her, against him. As pastor this is one of my big temptations. I have so much ammunition against people that I simply cannot, should not ever, ever use it. I could perhaps even prove that I was right in the decision that was made by exposing the poor response or poor attitudes of the other person involved. I could prove myself to be right, but I would not prove myself faithful. Better at times to absorb the hit and work at proving to be faithful, than to shoot my canon and prove myself right. Did you noticed in verse 9 how he brought God into the equation? When you are the target of slanderous verbal slicing, pray. Bring God into the mix. (V. 9b) “They will become discouraged (literally means, they will let their hands drop and dangling arms can’t do much work.) But now O God, strengthen my hands.” In the KJV is says their “hands were weakened” so Nehemiah prayed for “strong hands”. He prayed for God’s strength. To do so was to also admit Nehemiah needed strength. He was not self-reliant, he was God reliant. He admitted he was weak and fearful when he said, “they were trying to frighten us and discourage us.” In II Cor. 12:10, Paul says I am content with the weaknesses that God has allowed in my life, the insults,

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the distresses, the slanders, the rumors, and persecutions. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Why because in my weaknesses, when I am discouraged, when I feel like giving up, I go to God and find my strength. In taking it to God, Nehemiah rejoiced in the faithfulness of God, trusted in God. “The joy of the Lord then became his strength” which was the fruit of his prayer. Nehemiah 8:10. Nehemiah recognized the enemies real goal was to demoralize himself and the workers, so he prayed for energy and strength in order to lead the team and finish the last lap strong. It’s tempting to quit when you are taking some shots and life is hard. I am embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve felt like just packing it in and going back to some profession that is far less challenging. But then when I am weak, He proves himself to be stronger than all my fears and failures. When you are fearful and feel like leaving, giving up, quitting, go to Father God who gives a sense of belonging. Remember to Jesus he said, “This is my son, listen to him. This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” Our father God gives us belonging. Jesus, God’s son, gives us a sense of worth and value. He loved me so much that He came and died for me. I’m worth so much to Jesus that He stepped in front of bullet for me on the cross. God the Holy Spirit empowers me. Empowers me with strength to live in the fruit of the Spirit when I have no strength to do so. Empowers me with authority over the evil one. The Spirit prays for me even when I do not know what to say. Romans 8;26. Are you under attack by slanderous slicing by the evil one? Has the evil one made false statements that are intentionally designed to damage you? Maybe the statements aren’t sourced from a particular person, but the evil one has been whispering slanderous statements about yourself to you…and you’ve been believing them. What lies, what undermining slanderous lies have you believed about God that aren’t true? What slanderous lies have you begun to believe about yourself that just aren’t true? God doesn’t really care. Slanderous lies. God is not working on my behalf. God doesn’t love me as much as he does that other person. I can tell He doesn’t because God blesses them more than me. I’m a failure. Slanderous lies. God is holding out on me. I’ll always be alone. No one else will ever love me. I’m afraid and so I will wrongly take what I’ve decided I need, (an affair). It’s up to me to make this life work out on my own. Defeat. Have you believed slanderous lies about yourself or about God? Just like Nehemiah discovered, Satan loves to attach fear to lies. Choose obedience over fear. Perhaps you are not the target, but are getting tempted to join in on the shooting of another person. Perhaps the rumor, the gossip, the slander is so very juicy you are tempted to pass it on. You’ve heard what to look for, what it looks like so

identify it as gossip. Call it out in your mind and the next time someone serves up a juicy tidbit, even if it is disguised as a prayer request, you be ready. Think about the place where you are most likely to get an earful and pre-decide right now what your next response will be. “I don’t think we should be talking about unverified information.” I feel very uncomfortable talking about someone else in that way.” Or just call it flat out. “I don’t wish to listen to gossip.” Offer to go with that person to talk directly with the one they are airing concerns about. Bring God into the conversation, perhaps say, “I can tell you are very concerned about this, let’s talk to God about it and pray with them.” The God perspective often helps. Maybe you are the one who is tempted to pass it along. Ask yourself, “Is it necessary to say this?” Is this confidential information? Can the original source be quoted? Have I made strong efforts to verify the truth with the person in question? Will my words benefit this one who I am now telling? Can this person do anything about it other than pray? If you have a problem with your tongue, God will have to deal with you. This is a major reason for disunity in the body. God does not delight in those who spread dissension among the body. He is far more concerned with unity in the body than in our personal preferences and agendas being pumped up. If you have any doubts at all whether or not to share certain information, I challenge you to memorize Ephesians 4:29, and run your words through this grid; “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear it.” Now does this mean we should never discuss things of disagreement? Of course not. But how should we go about it if we do have a legitimate concern? How should they be properly expressed? Some people think that the yellow prayer card is a great way to anonymously express they frustrations about the way things are decided. I just want you to know I have instructed Kathy and Shauna, if the cards or letters are not signed, to simply throw them in the garbage. There is no sense in reading what you have to say if you are too cowardly to take responsibility for your words. You give no opportunity for me or any of the staff to explain or respond individually to you. Ray Stedman tells about a man in the audience who had an usher take up a folded paper to the pastor who was preaching up front. Thinking it was an emergency, the pastor unfolded it to reveal a single word written on it. “Fool!”. The pastor didn’t miss a beat and told the congregation, “I have received many unsigned messages in the past, but this is the first time I have received a note without any message…but only a signed name!” Take your concerns directly to the person, the leader who can do something about it or explain

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