Telling the Truth

Let's look at Galatians 4:12-20. You know that the truth will set you free? Well, for some people, it sets them on edge. Paul talks of being received by the Galatians initially. They loved him so much and received his teaching of Christ so fully, verse 15 says they would have plucked out their eyes and given them to him. Now, however, the people that were veering them from the truth had so convinced them, Paul was now considered an enemy for telling them the truth. Verse 17 should be a warning to believers today. It says, "They zealously affect you, but not well." Do you have people who affect you "not well"? How can you tell? Well, symptoms include...gossip. Are they gossiping about someone who has made a great impact on your life? Another is....strife. Is the person complaining and stirring up strife about that person among you and other believers? How about.... false teaching? Is someone around you feeding you "truth" that is not God's truth? It's always sad when someone pulls another believer away from individuals making a great spiritual impact on their life. How does that happen? Gossip is addictive. Tearing someone down is addictive. You should really analyze people's motives. I've learned that if someone gossips to you about someone else, they are gossiping about you, too!

Turn away from those who want to trip you up. Sadly people get out there on their own and have lost the support they actually were sent by God. Stand up. Let truth prevail. It's hard to do, but it keeps those God given relationships strong.