We live in a social media age. A time where perception of something or some one feels like it is more truth than the actual truth about something or someone. We respond to rumours and public opinion. Our deepest convictions can be overturned in a short time by a compelling story. We value someone who speaks out, even if they dishonour, because of how much we value information and how we dislike knowledge gaps.

I am often shocked by our ability to take a few disperate threads of information, weave them together, and end up with a story that is so far off base that it hardly seems credible.

The problem is if enough people believe it, it becomes truth.

As I was reading the book of Nehemiah in the Bible I came across a brilliant response to rumour. While Nehemiah and the people are rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem he receives a message from a powerful man called Sanballat. Here is the account.

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written:“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” Nehemiah 6:5-7 (NIV)

This is classic rumour mill material. You can see it in the passage. Sanballat had shown that he was already concerned by the building of the wall. He then has listened to all the other nations talking about it. Correction* not ALL nations but the ones he agrees with. He then listens to a trusted source close to him that backs up his opinion and when he puts it all together he has a wild story.

This pattern is so familiar. In fact I’ve decided to create a rumour formula to help highlight our process.

our own fears + (widespread popular opinion which backs up our fears – opposite opinions of anyone with different story) x the word of another close to us = an outlandish rumour

The problem with rumours is that even though it seems silly when we talk about them like this, they feel all to real at the time. When you are on the other side of that popular rumour it can feel difficult to know how to respond. Should we publicly respond? But if we do, what and how should we address it? Should we stay silent and ignore it? But if we do, what is our silence saying?

Nehemiah has such a genius response which we read in his response to Sanballat.

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” Nehemiah 6:8 (NIV)

Oh, I wish we could respond more like Nehemiah. When I read this I laughed because he sums up the problem with rumour so well in this one sentence.

Let us not be people who create or perpetuate rumour. When we hear a story that me know little about we don’t need to comment. We must check our motives, our bias, and try and work out what is just in our head. We must remember this when we are on the other side of a rumour too!

Lets keep doing what we’ve been called to do and not get distracted by what everyone is saying around us.