“If you can’t say something nice . . .”

“ . . . don’t say anything at all,”

This over used theory may be easy to recite, but it’s obviously difficult to do. How easy it is to be critical instead of kind, to comment on the negative instead of emphasizing the positive, and to tear down rather than to build up. I tell my kids- Like toothpaste, once out, you can't put back in, or like a nail in a wall, you can pull it out but your still left with a hole!

James talks about the tongue as does Ephesians.

There is no second-guessing what God’s plans for our words are. He makes it very clear in, Ephesians 4:29, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Be it a family member, friend, or co-worker, is your immediate response to call other friends and gossip about the situation or call the person who hurt you and see what you can do to mend the relationship?

Our words destroy and tear others down when they’re born out of an angry, knee-jerk reaction. Our words encourage and bless when they are obedient to God’s command that we build others up!

Are your conversations critical and cutting, or gentle and grace filled? Make the right choice.