“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Have you ever thought about your character? Webster defines character as qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity.
Honesty. Courage. Integrity.
As parents, this what we strive for with our children. This is why we teach them morals and bible stories and all of that. But as Parents do we practice what we preach? Do we live what we expect them to live?
Do we watch our words, thoughts, actions, or habits?
Do we live as examples?
I can honestly tell you that I fail miserably in this area. I caught myself just yesterday calling my son out for talking about the neighborhood bully, yet right after I told him that, I found myself talking about someone right in front of him…. and that is just one example.
I have many more.
It is human nature to gossip, twist the truth to fit our needs.. to down right lie. Yet, we have to constantly be on guard as Christians, because what comes out of our mouths is a direct link to what lies in our hearts.. and that often is a scary thought.
Yet Gods word says:
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. -Proverbs 15:4 (The Message)
Do we really stop to think before we speak? Do we really understand the depth of the damage that one negative word can do to another person?
Do we justify our words because of what the other person has done or said?
Here’s another question: Do really care?
Do we represent Christ when no one is listening but our closest friends? Do we gossip, twist the truth.. lie.
Gossip: talking negative things about other people in an effort to tear them down or to cause others to think negatively about them.
I know I am am guilty of this.
Are you?
Hmmm, something my husband was just challenging me about. The Lord is speaking to me, that’s for sure. I’m going to memorize Pro. 15:4, and read (again) Love and Respect.
Thanks, Heather.
Hi Heather,
I am guilty of gossip not necessarly in the lying sense but I get caught up in whose doing what and venting my frustrations to the wrong people. This is something I pray about and ask GOD to help me with daily.
I appreciate your blog. The honesty, thoughtfulness and Love of GOD is definetley felt here. I pray for many blessings for you and your family.
This is a great post and reminder to everyone. We all have done this at one point and time.
Another Proverb to ponder-
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” Proverbs 25:11
Are we using our words to build each other up for his Glory?
Hey Sweetie,
This is one I can so relate to and am working on every day. I didn’t use to give it a thought and then God really spoke to my heart about it. Him and I are working on it every day, some days better than others. I, along side of you stand guilty and do not want it to reflect in my character. Thank you so much for posting this today. It is so encouraging. I love you girl.
Laurie in Ca.
Ooh! I forgot about your beautiful redesign until I clicked over!
I’m definitely guilty of gossip. I try to refrain, and I’m not too bad about spreading it, but I SO love to listen! I really need to work on that.
Guilty? Yes. And it sickens me. Just the other morning a friend called to apologize for the way a late-night conversation had turned (why is it when we’re tired and talking to girlfriends it always seems easier to maim with our words?) and it was so good. The converstaion wasn’t even what most would consider “terrible”, but both of us were guilty of saying things that really could have remained unuttered, and both of us had spent the morning feeling oh-so-convicted. Of course, now I was even MORE convicted being that she was the one who had the courage to call me up and apologize for it. But it just brought to light, once again, to importance of letting our speech be seasoned with grace.
Ouch! This is so true and yet so hard to do – especially when the person you are gossiping about has hurt someone close to you. In a sense you feel you are defending the hurt party – but I need to realize that the one who has done the hurting is probably injured far more than we realize. In turn, (as cliche as this may sound) we should be praying for that person.
Something I definitely need to work on……..
Absolutely – ouch.