<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Some time ago, we talked about gossip. We all know of "grapevines" by which news rapidly spreads through a community. Sometimes the vines are of poor quality and produce rotten fruit. People's reputations are damaged - even destroyed - as the fruit of the message is consumed and passed along the vine. Vines can bring good news, also - often too small or personal to rate mention in the print or broadcast media. One such item came to me this week. I'm always curious to know who reads this page. Some write; some send E-mail; many strike up conversations in stores or restaurants. Sunday, I learned that some Granite Construction workers up here at the Rayburn Dam project have been reading and discussing the column. Many of you will soon be leaving for other jobs. We'd like to thank you for your work in improving our area, not only with the construction, but also with your presence in our community. Godspeed as you leave for other projects. May he keep you safe in your work and confident in your salvation in your Lord Jesus Christ. Normally, the question and answer format holds for this column, or we'd need to change the name. A question that I've heard recently reminds us of the rotten vine producing poisonous fruit. The question is about gossip again. The question is sometimes made politically, sometimes regarding the Christianity of whoever is involved, sometimes just a general, "Why?" I can't judge the why, but we can let the Word judge the deed. This last week of campaigning for the hospital board has brought rumors scurrying out of the darkness where they were created and into the light of day in this area. Unfounded - and untrue - allegations of misdeeds have swirled about town, unwilling to accept being flushed away where they deserve to be. As pastor of two churches, my spiritual concerns focus on them and my own family. Yet the well-being and godliness of my communities and the people I know and love is also a vital part of my life. In the Old Testament, the Lord demanded public testimony from two or three reliable witnesses to make a case. Shame on those concocting schemes to defraud voters by misstating the public record. Shame also on those circulating unsigned letters which brought these lies into the homes of others. If you don't know of what I am writing, I will not dignify the purveyors of this garbage with an explanation. If you do know, I pray that you were not taken in by someone bearing either an agenda or a grudge against decent, honest members of our community. Paul warns that while we may hide our motives and even our identities from others as we fan the flames of deceit, envy, or other vice, "Don't be fooled; God is not mocked: for whatever a man plants, that will he also harvest. (Galatians 6:7)" He sees through excuses, judging the deed according to the heart that conceived it. He thought truth so important that among the 10 Commandments summarizing all of his law, one says specifically, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Expounding on this, Luther noted: "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way." I agree with Martin Luther, and love his succinct explanation. Yet as a weak and frail mortal, that last bit is sometimes especially hard for me to do. I have no particularly kind way to explain such behavior, so I won't try. Instead, I'll pray that those responsible for damaging not only their own spiritual well-being, but also that of so many others, will reap the spirit of repentance instead of wrath. Paul clearly displays the alternatives in Galatians 6:8-10: "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." It's good to know that while we are prone to holding grudges and harboring ill will, our Father loves mercy over wrath, and is pleased to forgive all sins. I pray that those assaulted by deceitful people will say with their Savior, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And I also pray that each person who began, spread, or believed unsigned testimony against clear evidence in the community and in God's Word will also be moved to say, "Father, forgive me." God grant us happier questions to ponder next week. Until then, please "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com, or stop me on the street for a chat. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas, and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.