Text: Romans 12:17-21
Memory verse:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Let the name of George Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified. Let my name die everywhere, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted. . . . I am content to wait till the judgement day for the clearing up of my reputation; and after I am dead I desire no other epitaph than this, ‘Here lies G. W. What sort of man he was the great day will discover.” This is one of the secrets of neutralizing the poison of gossip, slander and lies. Never esteem your reputation above the cause of Christ.
Don’t also forget that you are not alone in it. Many, including our Lord Jesus, were gossiped and slandered (John 15:20).
Next, know that God is behind you and that matters most. “Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me (Matt 5:11 MSG).
Thirdly, know that your God is Sovereign and He determines the outcome of all gossip, slanders and lies against you. “We make our own decisions, but the LORD alone determines what happens.” ( Prov 16:33 CEV). Yes, the effects of gossip and slander can be so costly, yet, God can work with it to establish His will. God will move you forward in spite of the attacks in Jesus name.
Another thing to do is to maintain divinely acceptable boundaries. After lovingly confronting the gossip or slanderer and without a change, it is wise to withdraw from such. Continue to pray for him/her and love such according to bible standard, but don’t tolerate the relationship which is abusive and dangerous. God commands separation from people who can endanger our walk with Him ( Prov 22:24). Don’t associate with a gossip. “A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much” (Prov 20:19 GNT).
Furthermore, don’t allow the betrayal and hurt to cause you to be hardened or to close your bowel of mercy. Hurts make one revengeful. You keep God out of your battle when you seek revenge. Don’t try to get even with slanderers. Don’t withhold your help when they ask (Prov 25:21-22).
Similarly, never lapse into self-pity and withdrawal when sinned against. Don’t withdraw from relationships and fellowship in an attempt to avoid being hurt again. This is dangerous, as the enemy seeks to attack when you walk alone. Allow God to heal you (Psa 147:3).
May you not stumble in this Christian journey in Jesus name.

Prayer points
1. Father, I release my pains and hurts to You, please heal my wounds and bind my broken heart in Jesus name.
2. Father, I refuse to take vengeance on my offenders nor allow evil to overcome me in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I handover my pains and hurts to God and God heals my wounds and binds my broken heart.
2. I don’t allow slander to close my bowel of mercy, to fill me with self-pity or to live in withdrawal.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng