Rumor Has It…..
Rumors are a part of the real world. Some media outlets stay in business by initiating or spreading rumors.
The trending new terms “doomscrolling” or “click bait” have magnified this issue.
Two popular female singers of two different generations, Reba McIntire and Adele, both had a hit song entitled “Rumor Has It”.
Why were they hit songs?
Because they “hit” on a touchy and intense situation all humans have encountered.
We hear rumors about governmental officials, politicians, businesses, entertainers, athletes, colleagues, preachers, classmates, and families. And, yes, some of the juiciest rumors that we hear are about members of Churches or those who are popular speakers.
“Have you heard the latest rumor about so and so?”
Maybe I have and maybe I haven’t, but what are you doing spreading rumors?!
Why do people have this compulsion to listen to gossip?
Maybe it’s because they want to be “in the know”.
No one wants to be left out, uninformed, the last to find out.
It seems like we all have something of a weak spot for getting “inside information”, details about what’s going on with someone we know.
Maybe some people have a desire to “get some dirt” on others.
It confirms their unfounded, but simmering suspicions about them. The better the person is admired, the more fun it is to find out something bad about them.
So sad!!!
A great author, John Powell, wrote,
“Gossiping can also be a balm for sensitive guilty feelings. Some people like to recite the misdeeds of others so they won’t have to feel so badly about their own misdeeds. After reading the trash said about others, their own petty offenses don’t seem to be such terrible evils after all.”
No wonder the “National Enquirer” and other gossipy publications make billions!
What Is a RUMOR, anyway?
Here are some standard definitions:
- general talk not based on definite knowledge;
- mere gossip or hearsay;
- an unconfirmed report, story, or statement in general circulation;
- a piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth or subtle nuance.
So, a rumor is something that is hearsay or gossip — it’s information that is unconfirmed or unverified, and can often be “finessed” to cast an unfavorable or unfair shadow over someone.
Actually, one part of the final definition mentioned above needs to be updated, the part about rumors usually being spread “by word of mouth.”
While that is most likely still the most common tool used for the communication of rumors, it’s also seen to spread widely today via e-mail, web sites, Facebook, and other social media.
You and I don’t have to go searching for rumors; they seem to come looking for us, as they show up in so many settings!
It’s sad that people of the world speak irresponsibly and tell things which are not based on verifiable proof, but, we expect such from the children of darkness.
How much sadder it is when those who are called to be the children of light (Ephesians 5:8) join in the rumor-spreading business.
I feel that this is one area of life where we can apply the words of our LORD:
“Come out from among them and be separate…” 2 Corinthians 6:17.
Brothers and sisters, let’s be careful, extremely careful, in spreading information about others.
I’ve been on the receiving end of people speaking poorly of me or spreading rumors or telling half truths.
And when finally someone who listened to them comes to me, maybe even after a year or so and asked me if it’s true, my first question is, “Why didn’t you come to me when you first were informed when this person began to spread the rumor?”
By then the damage had been done.
Of course I told my side of the story and all the rumors began to fade and people were embarrassed.
They had not verified.
They had not researched and they had not come to me and asked me.
It was painful.
It was uncomfortable and shocking to see someone take up a small morsel of gossip and turn it into something so unkind!
If you’re going to share something about someone else, it’s very important to have verifiable proof.
Do your research and then when you share it, make sure you are willing to show proof of the information in a way that doesn’t come across as just a rumor or hearsay.
Truth doesn’t have to hide.
You don’t have to embellish your side to the story if it’s true.
We live in the world where people are eager to tell a dirty story or “be in the know”, and forget that there are children and others involved in the bigger picture.
True tellers have to be willing to be those who live their lives with wisdom and discretion.
Credibility is not a small matter!
Remember what Jesus said:
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10.
In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ©
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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.
And it is rampant TODAY, dear Mary. So sad. My grandmother used to say, If you can’t something something good, don’t say anything at all In His Love, Sandi