Text: 2 Samuel 1:1-16
Memory verse:
”As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Are you a bad news agent? Bad news agents derive great joy for being the first to break bad news. They take delight in discussing bad news and want to be among those who discuss it. They broadcast bad news and subtly catch the attention of others by asking, “Have you not heard about it?” They pretend to be sad about it, but internally, they derive satisfaction for being the first to break the news. They share bad news without caution. They rarely share the good news of salvation or the great things that God is doing in their assembly.
In our text today, an Amalekite who came from Saul’s camp to break the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death thought he could impress David. He was judged instead. Bad news doesn’t excite God likewise. Only the devil will commend anyone for being the first to break bad news. Believers who are evil news agents are satan’s employees. God will only reward you for sharing good news.
Many years ago, while I was on a journey with some of my staff, the car suddenly got engulfed in fire, and I lost the car. I returned home without telling anyone about the accident. In order not to give room for any suspicion, I made sure I got to church before anyone so that no one would see me coming to church without a car. It took weeks before anyone knew. Then, some who got to know asked why I didn’t tell them. My response was simply, “Why would I share unpleasant news?” Unpleasant news do not build people up and are not helpful. We are called to build up and not tear down. ”… Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.“ ‭‭(Eph‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬b ‭NLT‬‬). Let your words always be with grace (Col 4:6).
Someone else would have done the opposite by calling people and saying, “Didn’t you hear about what happened to me?”
I have discovered that, while those who enjoy spreading evil news may not even relate with the person or the people concerned, yet they will go about spreading it to others.
Friends, be quick to hear, be wise to confirm your information, and then be slow to speak. Let edification be your goal in all you do. Don’t be an evil news agent, but good news!

Today’s declarations
1. I refuse to be a tool in the hand of satan to spread bad news but a tool in God’s hand to share good news in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to be slow to speak and to always aim for edification in my conversations, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I am not a bad news channel because I don’t enjoy hearing, sharing, or spreading bad news.
2. If I share bad news at all, I share it only with one who is concerned, with a purpose, and having edification as my goal.