Picture with me the following scenario:
A large family was sitting around the table for breakfast one morning. As was customary, the father returned thanks, blessing God for the food. Immediately afterward, however, as was his bad habit, he begins to grumble about hard times, the poor quality of the food, the way it was cooked, and much more. His little daughter interrupted him and said, "Father, do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?"
"Certainly," replied the father with the confident air of an instructor.
"And did He hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?"
"Of course," the father replied but not as confidently as before. And then his little girl asked him again, "Then, Father, which did God believe?"
Perhaps the above scenario describes what goes on in some Christian homes. We speak well of God in prayer and bless His name, only to lift our heads and complain about what we don't have. Or we begin to criticize and maybe even curse others.
By Susan Heck--*With the Master in the School of Tested Faith*. pg.213
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Before we speak, let us ask ourselves the following:
*Is it kind?
*Is it necessary?
*Is it true?
*Is it gossip? (sharing private information with those who are not part of the solution)
*Am I defending my own opinion rather than listening to the individual?
~Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock in *Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God*
