“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” (Romans 16:17–18 NLT)

 

For years now, we’ve been living in an era focused on sensationalism. I’ve never seen a culture and society so obsessed with gossip, innuendo, and rumors. Just look to social media, and you’ll find all kinds of posts that probe into the personal lives of others.

This mentality has saturated the news media, too, where reporters hunt for any juicy piece of gossip they can find. And if someone is charged with a crime today, we often try them in the media before they can enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers.

That same skeptical, rush-to-judgment tendency works its way into our personal interactions, too. How many people are struggling with feelings of bitterness or sadness because they’ve been dealt an unjust reputation? How many people feel misunderstood and helpless to do anything about it because others have chosen to believe the worst about them? How many people have had to learn to live with being known for something they didn’t do?

Proverbs 6:16–19 tells us that two of the things the Lord hates are “a false witness who pours out lies” and “a person who sows discord in a family” (NLT). People who gossip, spread rumors and innuendo, and slander others fall into these categories. That is, the categories of things the Lord hates. The apostle Paul warned about such people in the passage from Romans 16 above. It comes down to this: The Lord has a better plan for His people.

Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NLT). He wasn’t talking about having a general loving attitude toward others. He was talking about performing tangible acts of love for the people around us. Showing care, concern, and generosity to others in ways that make a difference in their lives.

One of the ways we can do that is by refusing to believe the worst about others. The apostle Paul wrote, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV). That certainly includes believing the best about other people.

One of the most meaningful gifts we can offer another person is the benefit of the doubt. That’s not to say we should be naïve or overlook the obvious. But when we lead with a spirit of kindness and optimism, we open the door to deeper, more meaningful interactions.

And consider this: Your willingness to believe the best about someone may inspire that person to live up to your expectations. That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 NLT).

Reflection Question: What would believing the best about someone look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people&rsquo;s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.&nbsp;Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.&rdquo; (Romans 16:17&ndash;18 NLT)
&nbsp;
For years now, we&rsquo;ve been living in an era focused on sensationalism. I&rsquo;ve never seen a culture and society so obsessed with gossip, innuendo, and rumors. Just look to social media, and you&rsquo;ll find all kinds of posts that probe into the personal lives of others.
This mentality has saturated the news media, too, where reporters hunt for any juicy piece of gossip they can find. And if someone is charged with a crime today, we often try them in the media before they can enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers.
That same skeptical, rush-to-judgment tendency works its way into our personal interactions, too. How many people are struggling with feelings of bitterness or sadness because they&rsquo;ve been dealt an unjust reputation? How many people feel misunderstood and helpless to do anything about it because others have chosen to believe the worst about them? How many people have had to learn to live with being known for something they didn&rsquo;t do?
Proverbs 6:16&ndash;19 tells us that two of the things the Lord hates are &ldquo;a false witness who pours out lies&rdquo; and &ldquo;a person who sows discord in a family&rdquo; (NLT). People who gossip, spread rumors and innuendo, and slander others fall into these categories. That is, the categories of things the Lord hates. The apostle Paul warned about such people in the passage from Romans 16 above. It comes down to this: The Lord has a better plan for His people.
Jesus said, &ldquo;Love your neighbor as yourself&rdquo; (Mark 12:31 NLT). He wasn&rsquo;t talking about having a general loving attitude toward others. He was talking about performing tangible acts of love for the people around us. Showing care, concern, and generosity to others in ways that make a difference in their lives.
One of the ways we can do that is by refusing to believe the worst about others. The apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things&rdquo; (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV). That certainly includes believing the best about other people.
One of the most meaningful gifts we can offer another person is the benefit of the doubt. That&rsquo;s not to say we should be na&iuml;ve or overlook the obvious. But when we lead with a spirit of kindness and optimism, we open the door to deeper, more meaningful interactions.
And consider this: Your willingness to believe the best about someone may inspire that person to live up to your expectations. That&rsquo;s why the writer of Hebrews said, &ldquo;Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works&rdquo; (Hebrews 10:24 NLT).
Reflection Question: What would believing the best about someone look like in your life? <a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

One of the most powerful ways to show love is to believe the best about a person.

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