Truth, Integrity, and Gossip

Grace and peace to you in the strong name of Christ.

 

As promised, I’m sharing some more detailed thoughts about the 8th commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor.

 

The way we speak about others matters.  Our words have tremendous power.  And the words we use to witness, to speak about another, can either build up or tear down. 

 

First of all, our words should be truthful.  It probably won’t surprise you to hear that lies are destructive to relationships, neighborhoods, communities, and families.  Speaking the truth is important.

 

But this commandment isn’t just about telling the truth.  If I think that someone at work is being a jerk and I say to everyone at work, “I think she is a real jerk!” I am technically telling the truth (don’t worry, I don’t think anyone I work with is a jerk – they are all wonderful!).  But integrity and respect are important parts of this commandment, too.  So if I think someone is being a jerk, I should go talk to them about it.  And even if that conversation doesn’t resolve the way I’d like it, I don’t need to bring others into it.

 

Above all, God insists on honest, loving communication between humans.  Is that hard?  Yes.  Is it easier to complain about our neighbor behind his or her back? Probably.  But in the long run, following the 8th commandment is a better investment into our communities and families ... and in ourselves, too.  Maybe the best way to understand this commandment is to imagine the kind of community we form when people gossip about each other all the time?  And then imagine the kind of community when people speak highly of one another or do as Luther suggests and explain another’s actions “in the kindest way”?  Which community do you want to be part of?

 

Let us work to create that kind, thoughtful community together.

 

 

Annual Meeting January 27 at 6:30pm

Because of the realities of COVID-19, we will be hosting our annual meeting virtually. You can join us on Zoom, or in the church parking lot, where you can listen to the meeting via FM radio broadcast and vote via paper ballot. All confirmed members of Immanuel are voting members and encouraged to take part. The annual meeting is a time to receive reports from the various ministries of the congregation, to approve the 2021 budget, and to elect new council members and other congregational leadership. Questions can be asked ahead of time, via the Zoom call or chat, or by calling the church building during the meeting.  Zoom information, will be available on our website the week of January 24.  Annual reports have been mailed.  But they can also be downloaded here (this is where the zoom link will eventually be, too): https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/meeting

 

Community Dinner @ St. Ann’s January 28 4:30-6pm

St. Ann’s is hosting the community dinner in their parking lot on January 28.  Drive thru and get a free, hot meal for you and your family.  It couldn’t be easier.  Spread the word to anyone who would benefit from a free, hot meal!


Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements 

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