To answer all of these questions honestly, No, I do not. Often at the time I'm talking about someone negatively I don't really realize it until I go back and remember what I said. I wish I could take back those words and remove them. I often get upset with myself at how I talk about others when they aren't there. A verse I heard today was so relateable to this topic and I really want to share it with you all:
Ecclesiastes 10:20
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your
bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on
the wing may report what you say.
I had never heard this verse before, but I truly could apply to it. It is like our saying "A little birdie told me." This verse is basically saying, we shouldn't go speaking wrongly of others because we never know when someone else is listening or if those words will get back to that person- even if it may be the truth we are speaking. But in eternity it doesn't even matter if that person ever would find out- but what really matters is what we actually said about that person.
Now, there are special times when we need to share our thoughts and opinions of others- we can't always hold it inside, but there is a special time to do just that. I think to determine this we have to ask ourselves- do I really NEED to let out my negative thoughts about this person or am I just saying it to make me feel more significant? Sometimes I don't really know which way I truly feel, but deep within me I know when I need to let something out and when I just want to downgrade another person.
When we speak wrongly of others it may allow us to feel more significant at the time, but after we say it we feel ashamed and sickened by how we acted (well, at least I normally do). I know after I speak wrongly of someone else I feel like I sinned against God and I regret my words.
So to recap- Think before you are about to speak about someone else. Would you want God to speak those words straight to that person's face? Do you want to share your thoughts about someone else to just let it out-or do you want to make yourself look better? Try to examine your choice of words before you speak them. :)
Hopefully you enjoyed the post. Thanks for dropping by!!
I love this, Britt! ☺
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jodie!!
DeleteEcclesiastes is always a slap in the face!
ReplyDeleteI struggled with this for a long time! It really is true though that the truth will find you out, and the person you talk about always finds out what you said!
anyway, it's good that you feel that conviction if you talk wrongly about someone because then you know you hear from God! ;)
have a great day britt!
Thanks for your comment Morgan, yeah- it is good to feel convicted when we sin or talk badly about others. It helps me refocus my life :) You have a great day too!
DeleteThis is a great post, Britt! I never heard that verse before, thanks for sharing!! :D
ReplyDeleteAww...thanks! :) glad you enjoyed it!!
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lindsay! :)
DeleteThe last quote is one of my favorites. "Don't judge someone because they sin differently from you." It's so eye opening. I do talk about other people negatively quite often, either by trying to fit in, or just complaining about someone. I am going to seriously pray that the Lord will help me to stray from the negative talk. It's just so easy to point out someone's faults than to accept our own and change ourselves! Ah. Wonderful post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica for your comment! :) I'm so glad that you enjoyed it and could be influenced by it in a small way! Thanks for dropping by!
DeleteGreat and convicting post, Britt. Thanks for your honesty; if I'm to be honest as well, I'll admit I do the same thing. It's so easy to talk badly of someone when you're angry or disappointed with them. But as you say, we need to think before we speak. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess for your comment!! :) Yeah, it sure is easy to speak badly when you are upset or disappointed, I totally agree. Thanks for dropping by!
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