Day 13 - the belittling tongue

Do not let any unwholesome talke come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

~Ephesians 4:29

 

 

belittle: v. to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less, to disparage

 

Pegues begins this topic in her book with a simple question, "Do people feel better about themselves after spending time with you?"  She challenges us to combat the belittling tongue by choosing to do the opposite and become a cheerleader for others.

I'll be honest, I don't always feel like putting on the cheerleading uniform.  Sometimes I just want to take a moment and make myself feel better.  Sometimes that means I may disparage or belittle someone else in the process.  I'm not proud of it, but it's true.  The problem is that we aren't here on this world to feel better about ourselves but to point the way the the One who can heal all hurts and pains.  It's hard to point to Jesus when I am pointing out the not so great things in others. 

We are told to encourage each other, both in Ephesians 4:29 and in 1 Thessalonians 5:11.  Not just to encourage each other but to build each other up.  Kind of hard to build someone up if I am to busy tearing them down.  Pegues uses a hammer as an example.  It is a tool that can be used to create beautiful things.  At the same time, that same tool can tear those beautiful things apart.  Our tongue is much the same way.  Today focus on what you say, and on building rather than destroying, making others feel more than rather than less than.

 

Father, thank you for your Word, you book of instructions, and your unfailing love.  Help us Lord to use this tongue of ours to build others up rather than tear them down.  Help us to point the way to You with our words and our actions.  In your Son's name I pray.