Something that gets in the way (dare I say impedes) using our tongue for good: losing sight of the importance of using speech to build people up, instead of tearing them down. This doesn’t mean you can never criticize anybody. Constructive criticism is called what it is for a reason. But it is so easy to use speech to belittle, degrade, and undercut people. If we don’t pay attention we might not even realize we’re doing it. So, I’ve got a wild idea for you and me to try. What if we both took Ephesians 4:29 to heart for the next couple of weeks: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (NKJV) Give it some thought, John |