Choose not to speak negative about your relationship with spouse, friend, family, neighbor, and/or peer. Choose not to speak negative about your work place, marriage, authority figure, and/or country.
This exercise is easier to read than literally follow. I have found in some of my closest relationships that it’s easier to talk about our dislikes than likes. That is, ‘Hey, can you believe that Billie is dating Sue! Does he not know…?’ Closeness is discovered through your dislikes for Sue's behavior and Billie’s taste in women. Without a thought of your distasteful conduct and gossiping words, you are judging and belittling someone.
I recently visited with a person whom I believe to not be a Christian. During our visit, a comment was made. ‘Conservatives (which referred to Christians) are so judgmental!’ Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t argue with passion or conviction, because I believed the statement to be generally true. My life experiences play a major role in thinking this way. It is a shame, but true, that I have starred in many life movies as the lead actor in a judgmental role. I don’t believe it stemmed from the thought that I was better; but the stronger case being, judging was a way of relating to a group or individual, which typically were conservatives.
I find that each day, I’m faced with the decision to get involve or initiate. I may have a simple thought about a behavior or attitude I dislike. Engage in morning light-hearted, pessimistic conversation to spark the office mood. Pleading my case to no avail without any agenda other than making conversation. This is foolish, pointless and not constructive in being a good witness. Simple negative words will drive you farther away from developing an intimate, influential relationship. There’s a trust factor in every relationship.
Jack knows if Tom talks about Billie’s issues when Billie is not present, that Tom will more than likely talk about him (Jack) when he is not present. Therefore, Jack doesn’t have real accountability with Tom due to his lack of relational trust. With no trust, intimacy is stagnated or broken. This issue between Jack and Tom may never be verbally or emotionally confronted. Jack and Tom have issues (as we all do), but don’t take advantage of their time together examining each other (Proverbs 27:6). When they meet for lunch, because of their chosen path, the depth of their conversation continues to lead to Billie’s issues. Intimacy has plateau.
The devil has an agenda in all your relationships. Whether you consider your relationship healthy or not, the gossiping, superficial cycle is an easy trend to follow. Be on guard and choose to exercise your right to speak blessings. Do not get caught in the cycle of speaking defeat about a friend’s situation, business venture, bosses’ attitude, or our country’s current status no matter the circumstances. It is a sin to do so and truly one of the quickest ways to damper the mood.
If you find difficulty speaking positive, faith-filled words, you must examine yourself. I would encourage you to begin reading your Bible and discovering what God has to say about the situation. We serve a God with plans to prosper us and give us a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). If your speech does not match His plan, you are not aligned.
Matthew 12:35-37
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.
If you chose to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/BibleStudyAndTheology/Discipleship/Steps_to_Peace_With_God.aspx
