Who killed Princess Diana?

Everybody was pointing fingers, but as is usually the case, none of those fingers ever pointed at the responsible parties. Some blamed the driver, who was found to have more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. Certainly Diana herself was partially responsible because of her lifestyle. Much focused on the press and specifically the paparazzi, the photographers who chase famous people just to photograph them. There were conspiracy theories - not worth mentioning specifics. Some were blaming the gossip tabloids for paying large sums of money to the paparazzi. However, the tabloids would not pay such sums of money if the consumer public didn't buy the tabloids. The ultimate murderer is us - that's right, you and me. And the reason we buy those tabloids is because we are sinners and love to read about the gossip surrounding famous people.

If you are a Christian, the Bible tells you what to do regarding gossip - there are not if's, and's, or but's (1). If you are a Christian who engages in gossip (reading or repeating), repent, and ask Jesus to take away your desire for gossip.

You might be saying, "But I don't buy those tabloids!" Maybe you don't. But have you ever taken the time to write to those tabloids condemning them for their trash? The Bible also indicates that we are to confront unrighteous activity and call it what it is - sin (2). I haven't done this, so I stand guilty. What about you?

The Bible also tells us that we are not to exhibit partiality toward people because of their status or wealth (3), since we are all equal in Christ. Likewise, we are not to exhibit prejudice on the basis of race or anything else (4). Let us act in the Spirit of Christ, and not honor and worship the rich and famous simply because of their status.

Even if you are not a Christian, I encourage you to boycott the gossip magazines - not just for a week, or even a month, but forever. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

References

1. He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. (Proverbs 20:19)
   ...being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, (Romans 1:29)
   For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; (2 Corinthians 12:20)
   Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. (1 Timothy 3:11)
   And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. (1 Timothy 5:13)
   ...unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, (2 Timothy 3:3)
   Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, (Titus 2:3)
2. 'Now if a person sins, after he hears a public adjuration to testify, when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.' (Leviticus 5:1)
   "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die'; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand." (Ezekiel 3:18)
   "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand." (Ezekiel 33:8)
3. My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:1-9)
4. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Last updated 05/31/01