Many people these days decide what they want to believe about someone based on their "feelings" rather than on what is true. Do not be alarmed by this, it is common now and often irrational.
Over the years I have seen many people "guess" things about someone without ever taking the time to listen to them. In fact, they resist conversation with those they despise because they enjoy their desired opinion of them. These people are more likely to listen to behind-the-back gossip than come to you to find out the truth.
Feelings are often flawed because they are brought on by a sense that one is threatened merely by a correction. Our good faith attempts at fixing a problem relationship will be passed in gossip very differently than it happened. Do not be alarmed by this, however, it is best to avoid those who listen to the gossip as well as those who first shared the gossip.
We live in a world filled with people who base their opinion on others according to their "feelings" of validation or correction. If the feelings-oriented person enjoys praise from someone then that person is judged as a good person. If the feelings-oriented person is corrected by someone they judge that person as mean and hateful.
Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
It is only through the counsel of the Holy Spirit that we can see things in truth. As we live in these end times of apostasy those who see things in truth will be judged as mean, someone to be avoided. Their wisdom is seen as foolishness and there will be personal attacks by those who love their sin.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
In the last days of today, we are experiencing the days of Noah in which everyone did what was right in their own eyes and no one will listen to righteous counsel.
2 Timothy 4:3
"3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
Proverbs 28:26
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
The gossip will love those who praise them and believe everything they say and hate those who dare to question them to come to the truth.
If we want to be wise we must make our companions those who are wise. We must evaluate everything according to the Words of God in the Bible and never allow the ways of the world to pervert what God says in His Word. The Holy Spirit will guide us as we seek His truth in His Word. Remember Christ is called the "WORD", He is the very essence of His own Word. This is why it is so egregious for anyone to twist His words to make them say what they want them to say. or to claim God did not say what He did say. This is also the height of arrogance, to think we can change God's Word to meet our own desires.
Proverbs 14:7-9
"7 Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not ]discern words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is goodwill.
What a blessing to see things in truth, even when it is ugly it brings joy that we are not being deceived. We need not be intimidated by those who mock and demean us, what they think does not matter, only what Christ thinks matters.
Hallelujah!!!!
