Text: Numbers 14:1-4
Memory verse:
”And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, …
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭13‬:‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Why must you not spread bad news or be the first to break it? First, bad news is not pleasant news. Our lips should speak pleasantries (Prov 16:24; 15:26).
Second, bad news does not edify. That is, it doesn’t build the hearers up but tears them or discourages them. Why should you be responsible for dampening the spirit of others, causing heart breaks, or weakening their faith? Look at the effect of the bad report of the ten spies. ”So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.“ ‭‭(Num‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬).
Third, bad news kills like a poisonous injection, but good news refreshes like cold water in the time of heat (Prov 25:25). Three things happened simultaneously to Eli when he heard about the bad and shocking news of the death of his two sons and that the ark of the Lord was captured. He fell off his seat backward and broke his neck and died (1 Sam 4:17-18).
Fourth, people who spread bad news are under the employment of satan and also fulfilling his mandate. Don’t be a messenger of satan, like those who brought evil reports to Job (Job 1:14-19).
Fifth, bad news naturally spread like a wild fire or an epidemic. Don’t add to the fears and troubles in the world by spreading bad news. You shouldn’t be found adding fuel to the fire but quenching it. Within minutes, about 2.4 million Israelites heard the bad reports of the ten spies (Num 14:2).
Next, Bible faith doesn’t deny reality, but it doesn’t project unpleasant news. Spreading bad news is to magnify the devil (Isa 33:34; 36:21).
And bad news doesn’t glorify God but the devil. God is not happy when His children experience untimely death, financial losses, stagnation, ill health, poverty, and so forth. Those who spread bad news are ignorantly promoting and glorifying the devil. This is why the pulpit shouldn’t be used to glorify the devil.
Friends, let your goal be to be the first to share good news and not the first to break bad news. Always aim at building others up and not tear them down. If bad news is to be shared at all, it should be with those with whom it has direct relevance and must be shared prayerfully and with wisdom. Sharing bad news without restraint is gossip, and sharers will be punished. May your words always be with grace and seasoned with salt . May the LORD be glorified through your words, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, let my words always be pleasant, ministering healing and grace to the hearers, in Jesus’ name.
2. I resist the temptation of being used as a messenger of satan, to spread bad news, and to dampen the spirit of others in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. Whatever news will not glorify God, no matter how touching it is, I will not spread or share.
2. I am an agent of good news, and so I don’t join or delight in spreading bad news.