Careful What You Say

1 Chronicles 17-19

Passage

David wanted to leave a legacy as part of his love of God by building a Temple, and the prophet Nathan agreed that it sounded like a good idea. However, after listening to God, Nathan found out the God had other plans. Was Nathan lying to David, was he a false prophet, a trouble-maker, or was he just speaking before thinking. Just think about how the rumors could have been flying about Nathan, who was David’s trusted advisor.

The New Testament provides additional insight on how we should react when we do not have the full story. James tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Philippians 4 tells us what to focus our thoughts on, and Matthew provides insight on how to deal with someone who has sinned against us. We need to go to the source and get the facts straight. David looked inward and realized that Gog did not want him to build the Temple. David’s son Solomon would get that task, but David would still be honored.

An additional story in Chronicles shows what could happen when we do not seek the truth and make up our own opinion. The Ammonites assumed that David was trying to send spies to conquer them after their king died. Instead of checking the facts, they embarrassed David’s men and ended up in a battle. In the same way if we sow division through rumors by not checking the facts, we play into the enemy by dividing and creating dissent. We need to go back to Philippians and remember that what we think will impact what we say.

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