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To speak evil of others is the sport practised by 99% of cowards, those who are afraid to solve their own problems face to face.
Luis Ocaña.
He was one of the best cyclists in history, but he never seemed to find trust or hope for his life. Winner of the most important prizes, he once stated, "In our job, to be a human is hard. Either you bite or you are bitten. Cycling is a sport without a soul."
During the year 1994 he lost his life, and they said that he committed suicide, although it seems difficult to know for certain what really happened. He was LUIS OCAÑA, the 1973 winner of the Tour de France.
Unfortunately, to speak evil of others is a most popular sport. Either you bite or you are bitten. You do not need training, special studies, discipline or equipment - you only need a crowd! A crowd that is willing to listen and to bring ruin to others!
It is the sport practised by 99% of cowards, those who are afraid to solve their own problems face to face. In this sport those who practise it are the ones who lose; they may harm the person they criticise, but that is nothing in comparison to the harm they bring on themselves. Every word spoken against another person is a poison that remains inside of us.
Slander is like a mallet, because when you speak evil of others, it is just as if you hit them. Ask your friends, what do you prefer? For me to talk badly about you or for me to hit you? Well, we are not masochistic, so we will not answer this question, but you will understand that you would have preferred almost anything just as long as someone does not speak badly about you.
Slander is also like a sword, because you damage someone else's life. You hurt someone, their circumstances, the way they are. The bad words spread to those around who stop expecting good things of that person, and instead believe the things you have said.
Slander is like a pointed arrow, because it literally "drives into" the other person, with regard to the way they behave. Although they may be your friend, they stop trusting in you when they find out what you have said. They feel betrayed, and they are right.
A mallet, a sword, an arrow are weapons that do not belong to a child of God. God never gossips about anyone, therefore we do not have the right to do it either. The Bible says that to gossip is sin... Do you go around breaking, piercing, and thrusting people?
No one in the world has shown more willingness to forgive every human being than God.
The caper is native to Southeast Asia, but it is common throughout the Mediterranean basin and in many other parts of the world.
In Western Europe today the majority of the church is made up of the relatively wealthy middle classes.
The horses of the ‘Franches’ are amongst the hardiest that exist.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Evi Rodemann: Youth and mission
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
I am not on sale
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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