{"id":56246,"date":"2011-11-26T19:32:00","date_gmt":"2011-11-27T01:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=56246"},"modified":"2026-07-27T08:52:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T13:52:58","slug":"the-first-one-to-plead-his-cause-seems-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-first-one-to-plead-his-cause-seems-right\/","title":{"rendered":"The First One to Plead His Cause Seems Right"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\tby Bryan Matthew Dockens\n

“The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:17).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wise Solomon observed the reflexive tendency in man to accept as truth the first version of events presented in a potential controversy.<\/p>\n

When gossip circulates through the workplace, the neighborhood, or even the church, the first version of events is usually presumed to be true. This is so because “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:8). Just as a well-prepared meal will go untouched by a child who has spoiled his dinner with a bag of candy, similarly the truth holds no interest for those willing to accept rumors. The “other side of the story” may never be heard, and even when it is, it is often disregarded as a weak defense against the supposed facts already established in everyone’s minds.<\/p>\n

For this reason, it is imperative to refrain from spreading rumors in the first place. “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases<\/em>” (Proverbs 26:20).<\/p>\n

God commanded, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people<\/em>” (Leviticus 19:16). The behavior of a “busybody” is described as “disorderly” (II Thessalonians 3:11) because “gossips and busybodies<\/em>” are those who say “things which they ought not<\/em>” (I Timothy 5:13). And, Paul exposed the wickedness of “whisperings” (Romans 1:29; II Corinthians 12:20) insomuch as gossip thrives on whispers while the truth demands an open hearing.<\/p>\n

When a dispute must be resolved, both accounts deserve fair consideration. The Pharisees opposed Jesus, but Nicodemus correctly asked, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?<\/em>” (John 7:51). The will of God in such cases is plain: “Test all things; hold fast what is good<\/em>” (I Thessalonians 5:21), for “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:13).<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Bryan Matthew Dockens “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him” (Proverbs 18:17). Wise Solomon observed the reflexive tendency in man to accept as truth the first version of events presented in a potential controversy. When gossip circulates through the workplace, the neighborhood, or even the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[1573,713],"class_list":["post-56246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-gossip","tag-judging-others"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27179,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-can-be-done-about-a-family-that-constantly-fights-with-each-other\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":0},"title":"What can be done about a family that constantly fights with each other?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, my brothers and sisters, How should family disputes or arguments be dealt with when the family members are Christians? A certain family at my congregation have arguments about how they talk to each other, not being patient with one another, hurting each other's feelings, yelling, etc. I know\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":994,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/he-who-sows-discord-among-brethren\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":1},"title":"He Who Sows Discord Among Brethren","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 6:16-19 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Some people are not satisfied with the way things are. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They want people to change, but they go about it the wrong way. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They are missing any love for their brethren II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gossiping and Talebearing \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Talking about other people. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People who engage in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33604,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-a-gossip\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":2},"title":"What Is a Gossip?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 24, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, March 2000 Too many people think that \"gossip\" is the communication of information. Not so. The household of Chloe told the apostle Paul about some unflattering things that pertained to the saints at Corinth (I Corinthians 1:11). Paul was given a unique opportunity to lambast\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":21276,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/doesnt-a-publicly-known-sin-need-to-be-confessed\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":3},"title":"Doesn’t a publicly known sin need to be confessed?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 5, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello! I have a question about an article that I have recently found. I am a Christian and grew up in the church always believing you \"need to let the congregation know you have repented of your public sins\" by going forward. In the article \"Does sin require a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":97097,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-danger-of-dainty-morsels\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":4},"title":"The Danger of Dainty Morsels","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeremy Hodges Humans are often highly susceptible to gossip, and the Bible's clear statements about the danger associated with it show how susceptible we really are. (Proverbs 18:8; 20:19; 26:22; Romans 1:29; II Timothy 3:3). The one who is spreading the gossip likes the air of authority and insight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":48951,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-does-an-accusation-against-an-elder-require-two-or-more-witnesses\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":5},"title":"Why does an accusation against an elder require two or more witnesses?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Could you explain I Timothy 5:19? \u00a0\"Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.\" I was studying this chapter with another Christian and we both have been confused about what exactly is prohibited in verse 19. Must any and all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56246\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}