Think

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.

James 4:11

Why is it so easy to point out the faults of others and gossip about them instead of encouraging them? Maybe it makes us feel better about our own shortcomings; perhaps we just enjoy hearing the “juice” about others. Whatever the reason, it is sin; yet many of us continue to do it.

One man found a way to combat this problem in his church. It was a formula he came up with that the members of the church had to apply before speaking to anyone. THINK: is it True? is it Helpful? is it Inspiring? is it Necessary? is it Kind? If what they were about to say did not pass the above test, they were to keep their mouths shut. It worked!^a

Today, we need to pay attention to what we say to others. Are we gossiping and slandering, or are we a source of encouragement? If we cannot honestly say we are the latter, we need to ask God to soften our hearts and help us become an example of His encouraging love to those around us.

Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s souls, and a beautiful image it is.

BLAISE PASCAL