Good morning! How are we faithing? It is a tough thing to hold ones tongue. Sometimes we form opinions, right or wrong doesn't matter here, and we lash out. I've discovered that sometimes even when something is true, why say it? Who is to benefit? Who does this comment help? By my speaking it, does it cure the infraction or problem or compound it? I have been stepped on by others as I know you have but does that give me the right to slam them? I am just as guilty as that guy who wronged me when I speak badly of someone. Now if it is a brother in the Lord, it is even worse. I've heard some comments about how people dress at church or how one praises during worship. For one, why would I care? Isn't it enough to keep my own self in line? Gee whiz man, they're in church and not at a strip club! I've also heard comments about people who were awful in the past and now profess Jesus as savior, weren't we all lost and vile before Jesus? The Word specifically tells us to shut the heck up and not speak evil of anyone, especially the brethren. These following verses are just a small few of all that speak of this in the Word.  We can cause way more harm to the faith and to people personally with our tongues than we could imagine. Do you have memories of things said to you that hurt? We all do so it goes to reason that what we say that doesn't edify is doing the same thing to someone else...


Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
KJV


James 4:11
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.
NAS


Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
NAS


2 Timothy 2:24-26
And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
NAS


Matthew 5:22
"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
NAS


Luke 6:37-38
"And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
NAS
Remember Hallie...remember Mona and April...remember Ed's brother...remember Kate's daughter-in-law and new grand baby!

Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for loving wretches like us. Lord, forgive us when we speak ill. Forgive us for all we do that isn't righteous behavior. We ask forgiveness for all the people who have wronged us. Give us a thankful heart that can only come from you. Let us see you. Lord we ask for strength and wisdom to know when and how to speak and to shut up Bless those mentioned today, in Jesus name, amen