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Making the Cut (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe discussion of slander arises as the first specific prohibition among the behaviors required of one who would abide permanently with God, namely that such a person does not backbite with his tongue. This command stems from the Hebrew term rāgal, ordinarily meaning to spy out something in secret, yet when joined to the tongue it conveys the notion of roaming about to uncover choice items of gossip for use against another. The English expression backbite conveys the parallel sense of defamation aimed at someone whose back is turned, evoking the picture of a person moving on his feet, from the root regel, to gather tales in the manner forbidden by the command against going about as a talebearer. The prohibition echoes the ninth commandment against bearing false witness and therefore stands as a clear marker that slanderous speech is incompatible with the desire to please God. By means of this imagery the psalmist exposes the wounding character of such speech and indicates that every other injurious use of the tongue is equally wrong. Slander thus serves as a concrete illustration of the upright life of blameless deeds and truthful speech demanded by the opening summary in verse 2, a life patterned after the perfect standard of Jesus Christ and necessary for dwelling in God's eternal tabernacle.
Unity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe virtue of love is the overarching framework for unity, demanding rigorous control over the tongue, understanding its capacity to destroy.
Presumption of Innocence
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughProgressives have attempted to remove a cardinal principle of jurisprudence: The legal doctrine that one is innocent until proven guilty.
Shaped by the News
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The material addresses slander by tracing its roots in the widespread replacement of truth with lies, beginning with the observation that truth originates in God's Word and must be tested against facts and reality rather than accepted from any source. It shows how this replacement occurs through media that routinely fabricate stories driven by personal ambition, fortune, and entrenched prejudices formed without Christian moral guidance, a pattern that begins in families and is amplified by educational institutions. These lies function as slander by destroying reputations on a public scale, as demonstrated in the account of Jezebel, who manufactured false charges against Naboth to secure his property for her husband, resulting in his death. The same method appears in modern campaigns that place fabricated accusations on front pages to influence public opinion and elections. This development connects directly to the larger theme that Satan employs such deception so effectively that people lose the ability to distinguish spiritual truth from falsehood, leaving them subject to manipulation unless grounded in tested knowledge of God's Word.
Old Testament: Fruit of the Spirit (Part Three)
Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamIn contrast to Stephen who spoke the truth fearlessly, Haman valued his position more than the truth and gave into hatred for Mordecai and his people.
Gossip
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe apostle James says that the tongue can metaphorically start a dangerous fire. He warns that gossip, tale-bearing and being a busy-body is like murder.
Reviler
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs culture degenerates, the sin of reviling has become more pervasive, as impatient narcissists lash out at others, using foul and abusive language.
Titus (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe have the commission to be witnesses to a corrupt society. It is in the closeness of the crowd that we have the greatest potential to grow spiritually.
Making the Cut (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughKing David's list of required character traits in Psalm 15 starts off by setting an impossibly high standard: the very character of God Himself.
The Ninth Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe ninth commandment protects our relationship with God because by seeking and bearing true witness to the truth, we can have a relationship with God.
Smyrna: Faithful Until Death
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThe biblical city of Smyrna may be one that many know the least about. The city's name reveals the themes that the Head of the church wants us to understand.
Purging the Rumor Bug from the Body of Christ
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasThe church grapevine is good at spreading news, but it can be evil when it spreads gossip and rumor. Gossip actually harms the gossip himself. Here's how.
Be Ready for Every Good Work
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul underscores the importance of living as citizens of God's Kingdom by maintaining good works, being obedient, peaceable, and humble in all interactions.
Conduct of the New Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDriving out the evil must be followed by cultivating goodness and righteousness. An antidote to depression is to get our hearts focused on someone else.
Hide and Seek
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur carnal nature can rationalize the most hideous of sins. We are totally blind to the long-term consequences of our present sins on our future well-being.
Guard Against Being an Abomination to God
Sermon by Kim MyersAn abomination is anything God hates, including idolatry, diverse weights, uncleanness, sorcery, a proud look, a lying tongue, and the shedding of innocent blood.
Blessed Are the Meek (2014)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.
The Ninth Commandment (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe cannot measure how much evil the tongue has perpetrated, for falsehoods disguised as truth have destroyed reputations and even nations.
The Epistles of II and III John (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJohn warns Gaius of the treachery of Diotrephes, who had initiated a mutiny against God's true ministers, putting out of the church those who did not follow him.
Differences of Opinion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.
Peace
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidIt is difficult to find pockets or places of peace on earth today. The world longs for tranquility, freedom from mental anxiety, and cessation from strife.
Iron Sharpens Iron (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Ryan McClureHow do we 'sharpen' another's countenance? Most importantly, the imagery implies proximity, closeness. Nothing can be sharpened unless there is contact.