Sent on November 26, 2015

Dear All,

Pr 16:28 – “A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.”

Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Words have power that can shape a person’s direction in life; that can change who you are.

Many years ago I worked with a fellow who did not like me and made that clear to others around the workplace. 

I was told about a conversation that a couple of people were having, saying, “[Name] sure says some mean things about Bill.” 

When I heard this I was upset because what I’d heard said about me simply wasn’t true.

Then I heard the second part of the conversation.  The second part of the conservation was, “yes, that’s true but Bill never says anything mean about him”.  

When I heard the last part of the conversation I felt that my response to the mean talk was having more effect than those means words, so I decided to act like those means things were never spoken. 

The first thing this did was bring peace to my own heart.   It makes a great difference if we pay attention to our reactions and ask the question: “What is in me that caused my response?”

In the situation that I just mentioned my initial reaction was out of pride, having a sense of needing to defend myself.

If we are secure in Who we belong to, unkind words will not penetrate our security.

How much better to practice Godly speech, as these verses say:
Pr 15:23 – “Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!”
Isa 50:4 – “The Master, GOD, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people.”

Find someone to encourage today…

Love to all,

PB
 
“So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip” – Will Rogers

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