There is an expression used over 600 times in the Old Testament that deserves a look. In the account of the flood, Genesis 7:17 states, “The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.” The waters did not invent or create the ark, but they merely picked it up and carried it along for a while. The same expression is found in Joshua 3:6, when Joshua gave instructions to the priests before entering the Promised Land, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” The priests did not invent or create the ark, but they merely picked it up and carried it along for a while.
Ok, so what does this have to do with us? In Psalm 15, David asked, “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” For Christians, “Lord, who may abide in Your church? Who may dwell in Your heaven?” Here is one of the answers—“He who does not…take up a reproach against his friend” (15:3). Even if you are not the one who invented or created the gossip, don’t be the one who picks it up and carries it along for a while.