Do you remember the first time you heard, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all; or even, if I hear you say that bad word again, I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap; be nice!, stop being so rude!”?
As we get older, we see, we hear and we feel how powerful words truly can be. Many times we learn of this by those who we live with, the ones we are to look up to. Many years go by and you become accustomed to that “way of life/lifestyle.” It grows on us. We conform to it. We begin practicing those very things, those people told us not to.
Don’t forget, it isn’t just our words, it is the shows we watch, the activities we partake in, the choice of friends we have etc.
The reality of it is, is that we live what we learn. And these very people who make the choice to live this way and continue to follow their own way, but rebuke your children for their words, are fooling themselves. The discipline starts from within, with you.
In Mark 9:42, Jesus tells us, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone werehanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
Oh my! Read that again! That is tough to hear. The first time I read that, I was completely convicted!! I am thankful that God shared that verse with me. It is just another reason why I continually make the necessary changes in my life and family.
We Live for Christ! Not for man or this world.
We all have pasts. Some worse than others. But again, we all have a past.
We can learn from it and draw closer to Christ, or we can hold on to it and allow unforgiveness, bitterness, sarcasm, rude body language and behavior to take over, only to spew out unloving, cruel & harsh things from the mouth and body. We may think others don’t see or hear it. And whether we do or not, God certainly does.
Snide comments, remarks and crude body language is offensive and does not cause one to want to be around that person because it creates a contentious atmosphere.
Ask yourself this: If you had a family member or friend who constantly and consistently had something rude and sarcastic (don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for silly sarcasm) to say each time you were in their presence, would you make plans to spend more time with them? Or how about this: The constant rolling of the eyes and body language that only conveyed they were already sick of having you around, would you ever look forward to being in their presence again? And lastly: When you arrive at their home and you are greeted with the following: What are you doing here? Why are you here? Wow! Two visits in one day! How did you manage to get to go over there?! (mind you, eyes are rolling, facial expression is of disgust, and sarcasm fills the body.)
Makes you want to just walk out the door and not look back, ever.
It’s sad really. How we allow our hearts to become so unloving and bitter.
Words can do two things: They can either heal/extend love or it can wound and kill those you love most.
Do you want people to enjoy being in your presence?
Or do you not care and will continue this vicious cycle that keeps pushing people away?
The choice is yours.
Our relationships cannot change or heal if only one party is extending love and kindness.
Our families cannot change, if we don’t change ourselves first.
The next time your friends, family or children offer you their love and kindness, be sure to practice self control, so that you convey kindness and love, rather than the wrath of your bitterness.
Just because you are thinking something, does not mean it needs to be said out loud (this is when you really need to do a heart check!). Practice what you preach. Seriously, practice what you preach! If you are tired of hearing, seeing and living in an unhealthyenvironment, how do you suppose that will change?
Are you one to wait until someone else makes the changes first?
Or are you going to make sure that you start living a PURE LIFE for JESUS today?
Picture this: Can you imagine being in one of these moments and your mouth is spewing such hatred out on those you love and Jesus walks in the room?
Guess what? Jesus is and always has been in that room.
Remember this, when you reject your eternal family for walking closer to Christ, you’re not rejecting that person…You are rejecting The One Who Lives In Them, Jesus.
The power of your words…are you pushing people away? Or are you drawing them closer?
It all comes down to this: Either you’re ready to make the necessary changes in your life, or you’re not.
Don’t miss this, whatever you consciously continue to put into your mind, goes into your heart and comes out of your mouth and body!
You can only point the finger at someone else for so long…but remember who that finger is attached to.
Why not just take that step, stop fooling yourself and hold yourself accountable.
And learn to appreciate the time you have with those you love, instead of losing your mind and making the environment unbearable for those who love you.
As you make these decisions, you will see the changes in your children, family and friends. You will enjoy your time here on earth so much more.
I will leave with this thought: If you are feeling offended by this writing, you are more than likely guilty in one or more of these areas…the feeling of being offended is really more a conviction given to you by God…That’s His way of saying, I love you my child, but there are still some things we have to work on, Let’s Get Started Today! (And we are to rejoice because, if we do not have a purpose here on earth, we would have already been taken home to Heaven. “Not that Going Home to Heaven is a bad thing…Because it is NOT!”)
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