Ignore the Chatter and Leave Your Mark

"Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?" Bob Marley


Iowa farmer Bud Skalla was satisfied with just being a farmer, he didn't care that the people in his small community considered him a tightwad or miser. Nor, did he care that they talked about him behind his back. I'm sure they now have a different perspective of the quiet man, as he left millions to his church.

When Bud passed away most recently, he left $2 million in cash assets, and 1,100 acres of farmland worth $10 million to his parish
 and other nearby community small churches. What a way to leave your mark in the face of those who talked behind your back!

I've recently been teaching on the Book of James on Sunday mornings at my church. As I prepared for a teaching on James 3 which deals with the untamable tongue, I was surprised at how many scriptures there are in the Bible that deal with gossip and how much God hates it.

My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.

¹⁰ O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you. (Psalm 5:9-10)

King David dealt heavily with people gossiping about him as you will find within his writing of some of the Psalms. But David knew that His God was far greater than any evil spoken of him. David knew who his protector was.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

¹² For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love. (Psalm 5:11-12)


It is most evident that none of those who were gossiping of David really knew him nor his relationship with God. David spent most nights talking and worshiping the Father. His love for God is also known throughout the Psalms.  More importantly, David knew
who he was in Christ.

There is an importance in knowing who you are in Christ; it's your identity that defines you amongst all the evil surrounding you.

Here are just a few of many scriptures found in the Bible on who you are in Christ, if you truly live for Him:

I am a new creation; the old has passed away. (2Cor. 5:17)

I am a new person created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)

I live and move and have my being in Christ. (Acts 17:28)

Don't let others dicate who you are in Christ.

If you live in an area without access to a Bible, click on www.biblegateway.com for more of God's encouraging Word.