Rumors most likely stir more fascination then the truth. Rumors most likely obtain more comments then the truth. Well that was certainly what happened in the  believers in Thessalonica.

Word was spreading among the Thessalonians believers that Jesus had already returned again,  2 Thessalonians 2 verse 2: This had naturally caused significant degree of concerns and alarms. To make matters worse, the rumors also suggested Apostle Paul was the source of the information.

Paul doesn’t want the Thessalonians to be unsettled, he tells them in 2 verse 2; ‘“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way”.

Paul identifies three sources of the false reports.

The first is spirit, which is probably a reference to claims by means of prophet utterance. There were a number of people who had the gift of prophecy, but others could easily pronounce a message supposedly from the spirit of God.

The second is a false report from someone’s word, opinions and gossip. Opinions without evidence of truth are dangerous in any circumstances. Gossip can be soul destroying at the best of times.

The third source of deceptive information is a supposed letter from Paul himself. Yet this supposed letter was a contradiction to what Paul had taught. The truth will set you Free, but rumors, opinions and gossip can destroy.

Paul then clarifies that they should look for two events to take place prior to the Day of the Lord, rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the antichrist. Wide spread departure from Truth and resistance to God, will lead to wholesale rebellion and exposure to a man of lawless, who will try to trample the Truth of Christ.

Proverbs 16 verse 27 and 28: {Message Bible}

V 27: “Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn”.

V28: “Troublemakers start fights; gossip break up friendships”.

Perhaps that is why God requires us: Deuteronomy 6 verse 5: {Message Bible}

“Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love Him with all that’s in you, love Him with all you’ve got!”

If we love Him that way, we won’t be fooled, by rumors, gossip and speculation, and we will be like the five wise virgins that always have their lamps full. Matthew 25 verse 1 to 13:

God Bless.

OFJ.