Some people are just a lot of talk—hot air.
Maybe their words are meant to be encouraging—maybe they are just thinking out loud?
But if their words are hurtful or harmful, you don’t have to take them to heart.
Choose wisely with whom you associate. Encourage your children to choose good
friends—who are not abusive. Can you encourage your children not to be abusive—with
their words or actions? Using a gentle spirit instead of your hand or switch is
a good way to start. Our choices influence our children and grandchildren.
Jesus teaching about how we treat others still applies today.
For you will be treated as you
treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will
be judged. Matthew 7:2. How do you want to be treated?
How do you treat
others? Like a prickly cactus...or a sweet apple blossom, producing good fruit?
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh
words make tempers flare. - Proverbs 15:1
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful
tongue crushes the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4
Only a fool despises a parent's discipline;
whoever learns from correction is wise. - Proverbs 15:5
The lips of the wise give good advice; the
heart of a fool has none to give. - Proverbs 15:7
The 1 Corinthians scripture passage was
originally written by Paul to the people in the church at Corinth—but it still
applies to us today. Can we apply it in our homes and lives? Can we live by God’s
power…choosing love and a gentle spirit? Abuse begins with choices. Choose kindness,
not abuse.
Prayer
~ Dear Jesus, fill our hearts and thoughts with kind words and actions. Help us
to treat others as You would treat them, with love and consideration, choosing
kindness, not abuse in any form, whether it is a look, a word or a hand raised
in anger.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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