At the beginning of the school year a speaker gave a very motivational speech about gossip in the work place, and in a very comical way introduced the phrase "Shut it down!" I love thinking this in my head when I encounter negativity in conversations.
While in church today I started thinking about how horrible it is to actually tear someone down with words. Even if they have done something horrible, the truth is that Jesus died for them. How can we think we have any right to drag them down when Jesus died so that they might be saved. Negativity is so easy to slip into, and the tongue is described as a double edged sword in the Bible. This is something to carefully consider at all times, and yet, I know I will at times fail. Grace is such a beautiful gift. My prayer is that I may require grace and forgiveness in the least bit way, especially in this area. May God help me be mindful and full of His strength not to indulge in this sin.
James 4:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
