Gossip, Backbiting, Slander, Evil Speaking, And Malice

Later on, we find the "glory of the Lord" appearing to all the people after Aaron, along with Moses, offered a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a peace offering on behalf of the people. This so pleased the Lord that "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Leviticus 9:24)

Once more, at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, "When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place the cloud filled the temple of the LORD . . . for the glory of the LORD filled his temple." (1 Kings 8:10)

It took ten days after Jesus commanded them to stay in Jerusalem before the disciples were "all with one accord in one place." This "one accord," this unity, was based upon the one common thread: Jesus’ command that they stay in Jerusalem. This command for obedience caused each disciple to focus on God’s will for each of them.

After Jesus ascended, we are told, "They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They stayed continually at the temple, praising God." (Luke 24:52-53) While at the temple they set aside their personal needs, goals, and ambitions to seek God’s will together as one-not individually, but collectively through worship, praise, and the study of the Scriptures. "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (Acts 1:14)

When they arrived at that place where the needs of each other became more important than their own needs, the glory of the Lord fell upon them in a mighty and powerful way.

*The Church began when they took their eyes off themselves and focused them upon Jesus and His will for them as one body.

They became both the new Temple of the Holy Spirit and "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." (Romans 12:1)

*The primary purpose of the Church is to fulfill the Great Commission.

However, before that can be done we must learn how to worship and praise the Lord, study the Bible, and pray for the needs of others so that they might be edified and strengthened together as a whole, not just individually. When things are allowed to occur that disrupt unity to the Church, She fails in Her primary purpose.

Gossip and the pointing of the finger must be stopped so those slanderous ways will be destroyed. "Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it." (James 4:11)

The word "brother" is used in this verse because it signifies the close relationship, or bond, each Christian has with other Christians. To slander means to speak anything that may hurt or injure another. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be most careful not to defame anyone or say those things that cause great hurt.

*When we gossip or judge another, we are, in effect, putting aside the great law of the universe to "Love your neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39)