We don’t believe in rumors, do we? Sure we do! Some of us like to start rumors. We think politicians are bad, but what about the rest of us?
Many years ago, in South Texas, I was in the local café that I frequented. The owner and I were good friends. He liked to sit on a joke or story for a while and then bait the one listening. I sat down with Jim and he said, “That’s terrible about Mr. So-and-So isn’t it?” I said, “What about him?” He said, “He has a terrible sickness.” I said, “What?” He said, “Yes, a serious condition.” We had a good laugh; he had already shared that with Mr. So-and-So, who had also laughed. Now, to be sure, it is not a laughing matter when someone has any kind of condition. Jim told me later that after I left the café, a couple sitting in a booth not far from us asked what was wrong with Mr. So-and-So. If Jim hadn’t cleared it up, there would no doubt have been a rumor about this friend being ill, or worse.
Jesus said on more than one occasion, “You have heard it said, but I say unto you…” Many had a misconception about what the scriptures taught and many spread rumors about this man Jesus. Can you imagine the questions concerning His birth? After all, they accused Him of being a drunkard (winebibber-KJV). Read Matthew 11:19 or Luke 7:34. And by the way, He hung around sinners, too. But He did not sin.
Really there isn’t any difference in rumors, and slander. Except that slander is against the law (except for politicians) and it certainly violates the teachings of Jesus.
Rumors are just that - rumors!
