Psalms 15:1-3

 



 “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?  Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  (2) Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  (3) Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.”
Psalms 15:1-3 NLT

I have read several translations to help me understand what is being said.  The MSG has an interesting translation: “God, who gets invited to dinner at your place?  How do we get on your guest list? (2) Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.  (3-4) Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.”  Advise we might give our children.

The Lord says we can come before Him and worship Him when we have a clean heart.  We must examine our hearts and be repentant of any sinful thought or action. Verse 2 says to lead blameless lives.  How can we do that?  #1 says to do what is right.  We can only know what is right by reading scripture (the Word of God) and obey what He tells us.  #2 is telling the truth from sincere hearts.  This means not even “little white lies”.  The truth is the truth, even when it is hard to be honest.  Honesty must be spoken out of love, not to be vindictive or to punish.

Verse 3 for me is very meaningful.  Gossip and speaking evil of friends can bring so much harm to people.  Proverbs 16:28 “Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.”

God speaks against gossip in many scriptures in both the Old and New Testament.  Some of the synonyms for gossip are: meddlers, idle talk, busy bodies, tattler, babblers, and whisperings.  I do not want to be known by any of these labels, do you?

Our friends are to be chosen wisely and then cherished.  Proverbs 18:24 NLT “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Why would we speak evil of a person who is loyal and closer than a brother?  We may need to examine our hearts to know if we are truly a “friend.”

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32 NLT

Be Well, Be Safe

Be Real,
❤️ Sharon

Sharon Charvet

Women's Ministry Director

Foothills Foursquare Church

https://foothills4square.com

email: womens.foothills4sq@gmail.com

Monroe, Washington




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