Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison! It injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false makes no difference—God's Word forbids us to spread it.

The reputations of the Lord's people should be precious in our sight. Count it shame to help the devil dishonor the Church and the name of the Lord! Some tongues need a bridle, not a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Remember Noah's wise sons—they cast a mantle over their father's shame. But he who exposed him earned a fearful curse.

We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren. Let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now! Be this our family rule and our personal bond: Speak evil of no man.

Yet the Holy Spirit does permit us to censure sin—and prescribes the way we must do it. Rebuke your brother to his face, not rail behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike—and under God's blessing, it will be useful.

Does the flesh shrink from it? Then lay the greater stress upon your conscience! Keep yourself to the work, lest by suffering sin upon your friend, you become a partaker of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren.

Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example. See how he dealt with erring Peter—the warning given, the prayer that preceded it, and the gentle way he bore with Peter's boastful denial that he needed such caution. This is our pattern. This is our way.