The bald eagle is a protected national bird. To injure one is to bring severe consequences down on our heads.
We dare not assassinate a bald eagle.
Yet, their distinctive coloring does not come out until they approach adulthood. When they are juveniles, they resemble other more common birds, such as the juvenile turkey vulture.
A young Christian is the same. We don’t get our adult plumage until we reach maturity. There are times we will more closely resemble the world than the Christ we wish to emulate. The problem is not in our faith. It is in our maturity.
In Judges 8:18-19, Gideon asks two kings whom they have killed. They reply that the men they killed resembled the children of a king.
Gideon replies, “You have killed my brethren, and for that you will die. Otherwise, I would have let you live.”
Mistaken assassination.
When we see new Christians make mistakes in their immaturity, and we spread it around, we are assassinating them with our gossip. We are mistaking them for followers of man rather than disciples of Christ.
The problem is they need time to mature. Only in their maturity will the juvenile Christian begin to resemble Christ. If we assassinate them with our gossip before they have time to mature, we have killed the wrong people.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we are to encourage one another.
Titus 3:2 requires us to speak evil of no man, but show gentleness unto all.
1 Timothy 4:12 encourages us to set an example for those who come to Christ, rather than looking down on them.
When we speak words of truth and encouragement about our brothers, even when they stumble, then we build up the body of Christ.
Only tell those tales we don’t mind Jesus listening in on.
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Code: FGO.C.24.14b.vp