It’s nothing but a heartache.
To see people take lies for truth and truth for lies. Do wrong instead of right. Choose to hate instead of love.
Nothing but a heartache.
These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. 1Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath—these are all things that I hate,’ says the Lord.”
Zechariah 8:16-17, NET
I think this truth telling extends to celebrities and political leaders and your workplace and your church and your clubs and your friends and your enemies.
It’s not hard to get caught up in gossip and misinformation, especially with social media. There are tons of generators of fake news that helps people double down on bad ideas.
While I was reading the book Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World, I learned that one of the things that contributed to Marie Antoinette’s death was the rise of fake news. It’s not hard to get others in a snit because you say something the wrong way, misrepresent the facts, or share untruths.
I know because I have been.
It was nothing but a heartache.
Originally, refuse meant to pour back (from dictionary.com). In one sense of the word it means rubbish and the useless parts. The form I like for today: to express unwillingness to participate or comply.
As we move forward into 2019, I want to refuse lies, gossip, slander. I want to write on my heart this idea instead:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8, NET
When it’s refuse, I want to refuse it.
TotallyKris 