No Spying Allowed
LORD, who may be a guest in your home?
Who may live on your holy hill?
Whoever lives a blameless life,
does what is right,
and speaks honestly.
He does not slander,
or do harm to others,
or insult his neighbor.
Psalm 15:1-3
No spying on each other in God’s house.
The Hebrew word for slander is רָגַל râg̱al, and its meaning includes to search, to slander, to go about as an explorer or spy. It is the same word Joseph used about his brothers when they came before him in Egypt so many years after throwing him in the pit and then selling him into slavery. It is the word used to describe the task of the spies sent in Joshua 6 to see if the land was good.
Slander is indeed a kind of spying. Sneaky, critical examination of our brothers and sisters is nothing short of going about as a self-appointed explorer looking for trouble.
What meanness compels us to spy on each other in the house of God?
Peter might answer that pride is one reason. Perhaps well-intended helpfulness. Or zeal that rushes in, knocking wisdom over in its excitement.
Peter had the audacity to spy out the Lord Himself, presuming he knew what was best for Him (see Matthew 16:21-23). He certainly wasn’t intending to harm Jesus when he rebuked Him. He thought he was doing the opposite.
Presumption isn’t only unhelpful; it is a seed that can sprout slander. So much damage is done because we think we know better.
Peter learned the hard way that at the heart of criticism is a lack of love.
After all Peter’s presumptions were shattered, Jesus’ piercing question by the sea was all about love.
Do you love me, Peter?
Do you love me?
Mature Peter, broken and restored Peter, humble Peter, later exhorts us:
Love one another earnestly from a pure heart…So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.
1 Peter 1:22, 2:1-3
The heart that has experienced the Lord’s kindness cannot bear slander. He understands that he deserves criticism yet has been given kindness. She has been loved; therefore, she must love.
We are not only living in God’s house; we are God’s house, being built up together in love.
Peter goes on to say,
You yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
We are not spies; we are living stones in the house of God. In His mystery, God has given us words with which to build up and tear down. May we use our words to build His house.
No spying, builders.
Lord, you have spied me out and found me wanting. Thank you for your kindness and forgiveness. Make me a reflection of that kindness to others. Amen.
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