{"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":"2022-11-26T19:34:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-27T01:34:00","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 on the part of 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 on the part of man to accept as truth the first version of events presented in a potential controversy. When gossip circulates through the workplace, the neighborhood,…<\/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,"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_featured_media_url":"","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":"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 it have too much\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":48951,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-does-an-accusation-against-an-elder-require-two-or-more-witnesses\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":2},"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":[]},{"id":36146,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-the-difference-between-venting-and-gossiping\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":3},"title":"What is the difference between venting and gossiping?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 17, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a\u00a0friend that shares with me about other coworkers that have either said something that she did not like or hurt her feelings, in the past and currently, and I was wondering what exactly is the difference between just venting and gossiping.\u00a0 She sometimes\u00a0begins\u00a0by saying\u00a0\"I am just venting,\"\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":33604,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-a-gossip\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":4},"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":60325,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/these-six-things-the-lord-hates\/","url_meta":{"origin":56246,"position":5},"title":"These Six Things the LORD Hates","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 15, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Tanner Campbell \"These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who\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":[]}],"_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}]}}