Be not foolish… A few comments regarding all manner of congregational deliberations:
From Luther’s Small Catechism – 8th Commandment – Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
From Luther’s Large Catechism
…observe the order according to the Gospel, Matt. 18:15, where Christ says: “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Here you have a precious and excellent teaching for governing well the tongue, which is to be carefully observed against this detestable misuse. Let this, then, be your rule, that you do not too readily spread evil concerning your neighbor and slander him to others, but admonish him privately that he may amend [his life]. Likewise, also, if some one report to you what this or that one has done, teach him, too, to go and admonish him personally, if he have seen it himself; but if not, that he hold his tongue.
From Proverbs -
10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.
10:23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
18:6 A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than a fool who is perverse in speech.
20:10 A double standard of weights and measures– both are disgusting to the LORD.
23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
26:10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool…
From James 1:19 This you know, my beloved… everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
