How to Cleanse Your Mind From an Evil Report
Attempts to restore a Christian who has been overtaken in a fault will usually fail, unless the defilement of listening to evil reports is first cleansed and then replaced with the spirit of Christ’s love, humility and forgiveness.
1- Ask God to cleanse your mind from the defilement of an evil report.
2- Pray for God to give you genuine love for each one involved in the evil report.
3- Cleanse your mind with appropriate scripture.
- Have I accepted the evil report as true?“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” (Prov. 14:15) “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins…” (Prov. 19:13) Presumptuousness - To take for granted and assume to be true in the absence of proof to the contrary.
- Has the evil report affected how I feel toward that person? “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Prov. 15:4) “ You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment so the same things.” (Rom. 2:1) “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1Peter 4:8) “It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1Cor.13:5-6)
- Do I have an urge to tell someone else the evil report? “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph. 4:29) “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (Prov. 11:13) “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” (Prov. 17:9)
4. You know when you have cleansed your heart:
- When you lose your urge to tell someone else the evil report.
- When you grieve over the fact that a report was given.
- When you have genuine love toward the person involved in the report.
- When you are prompt to examine your own life for failures.
5. Act on what you have heard.
· Is God directing you?
- To contact the one who gave the evil report?
- To ask the five questions which identify an evil report?
- To emphasize the importance of speaking the truth in love.(See Jn. 17:20-26; Phil 2:1-4)
- Is God directing you to contact the person involved in the situation?
- In order to check out the facts and to help restore in the spirit of meekness? (Matt 18:15-18; Gal 6:1)
- Is God directing you to contact those who are spiritually responsible for the situation? Once they are informed, the responsibility rests with them.
