The Snare of Rumor
Words of Faith 7-7-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 6
[5] Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter [6] 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 [7] 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 confer together." [8] I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head." [9] They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

Have you ever had someone say something that was wholly untrue about you… Simply in order to undermine your progress or get their way? If not, I hope and pray that it will never be so! Rumors can be among the most painful darts the enemy flings, and they sometimes come from a direction we would least expect. A rumor is an insidious snare not only because it can destroy reputation but also because it draws us away from our focus.

The problem with a rumor is that the more we try to resist it, the more it seems to stick around. You might remember the "tar-baby" in Uncle Remus’ tales of Br'er Rabbit. The tar-baby doll was a snare made of tar and turpentine used to entrap Br'er Rabbit. Once Br'er Rabbit touched the tar-baby, he was stuck. The more he would fight to get free from the tar-baby, the more entangled he would become. Rumors are like that.

“Sandy” (Sanballat) was back in action to start a rumor about Nehemiah. Sandy sent a message in an unsealed letter. In ancient times, a letter was always sealed both to attest to its authenticity and to keep it private. But this letter was intentionally circulated as an "open letter."The letter included the dangerous rumor that Nehemiah was seeking to become King. Such treason was usually punished by death. It was a terrible rumor to start and could have had disastrous results.

So how did Nehemiah respond?

First, it appears that Nehemiah was able to trust his good relationship with the King of Persia. When a nasty rumor spreads, we find where our strongest bonds of trust lie. Some of the best “rumor control” is done in advance and lies in simply living a life of integrity that builds strong bonds of trust.

Next, Nehemiah answered the rumor directly at the source, calling it false, but he did not engage in any of the typical “damage control” that one might expect. He made no accusation against others. Most rumors are only fanned into a more fiery flame when we try to fight the sparks with denials and arguments. The more we engage in petty arguments with petty people, the more a rumor will seem to stick. Often, our best strategy is to state the truth and then simply not engage.

Finally, Nehemiah set out to prove the rumor-makers wrong, not with words but with action. The rumor makers were certain that the Jerusalem wall project would fail because of weariness. It was not the “dogged determination” of Nehemiah that won the day but his prayer life. Nehemiah was determined to pray—"Lord, strengthen my hands" — and then put those hands to work. Much tenacity and perseverance can arise within us when we face the desperate barbs of a rumor monger. Bathe that tenacity in prayer, and God will indeed strengthen our hands for the work that is ahead, even as He strengthens our hearts against the snare.

Are there any rumors swirling around you? How do we fight that attack and avoid that snare? Realize it is another attempt by the enemy to distract you from the work the Lord has put before you. Do not engage. Answer with the truth. Pray for the strength of the Lord to carry you through and prove the rumor-makers wrong. Get to work.

Lord Jesus, protect me from the fiery darts of the enemy. Protect me from worry concerning the opinions of men. Keep my eye on You and my hand steady in the work You have put before me. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.