It seems to me that in this world today, some people’s favorite sport is to tear people down, to cut them into little pieces, and then to spit them out. How tragic we think so little of others that we have made that our favorite sport.
I was reading a devotion by Pastor Greg Laurie in his book Every Day with Jesus when he shared a thought from radio Bible teacher, the last J. Vernon McGee. He said that McGee used to say that the only exercise some Christians get is running down others and jumping to conclusions.
I wish I could say he was/is wrong, but I can’t. I’ve seen it too often-in myself-and in others. As I’ve aged, I would like to think my tendency to throw people under the bus to deflect blame and jumping to conclusions to justify my words or actions has lessened. I would like to believe I have become wiser, more discerning in what I think and ultimately say.
Gossip and slander are ugly vices. They are both deadly sins. I’ve heard it put this way: before we say a word we should T-H-I-N-K. It is True? (Even if it is does it need to be passed on? See “K”). It is Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? If not, maybe we ought to just keep our words and thoughts to ourselves. Common vernacular: maybe we just ought to just keep our mouth shut.
Let’s stop running others down and jumping to conclusions. Let’s stop pressing down on others and start lifting/raising people up. What do you say? Join me?
Great thoughts on when and how to share our thoughts with others…
I have never hear of the the “T-H-I-N-K” principle…
Great way to check ourselves, check our motives, check our speech… This requires us to slow down and contemplate a bit before responding or saying something, which is always good in my case.
Thanks Ryan. I had heard that THINK years ago and had forgotten it but read it again recently. And I’m with you on the slowing down and checking the words first.
Amen, Bill! It’s so easy to run others down instead of expending the energy and love to lift them up. May we all THINK before we speak and focus on encouraging others around us.
Blessings!
We do expend a great amount of energy Martha running people down. How much better to expend that energy lifting them up.
Think about if we went around and lifted people up, praise each other, loved each other, took grace and understanding into conflicts, what a difference that would make in the culture. It’s easy to say I got caught up in the moment, but pray also only takes a moment to ask God what’s the right thing to do. I have seen the THINK saying before, but its a good one. Thinking and praying before you react will change your reaction into a response of grace.
Thinking and praying before engaging mouth is a good policy. And yes, imagine the difference.
Definitely agree, Bill, that we need to encourage one another and refrain from “pressing down” others. The only way I’ve found to be consistent in being an encourager is to focus on the greatest commandment: Love God, love others, love yourself. Focusing on God is key to loving others and yourself. As we develop our genuine love for God, we find encouraging others comes much more naturally.
Most definitely agree Kari. Loving God first takes the “bite” out of a lot of bad decisions and speaking. Encouraging others goes a long way to healing and helps others possibly become an encourager as well.
convicted again! Dear Lord, help me. Thank you, Pastor.
Know what you mean Cheryl. Sometimes the hammer slams hardest on me.