If You Haven't Got Anything Good To Say….
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe following article is from yesterday’s Montana Street bulletin [via Bulletin Digest], encouraging us to be encouragers as Barnabas was (Acts 4:36-NIV):
You remember the rest of this line, don’t you? Momma always used to say, “If you haven’t got anything good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.” I think Momma knew the words of the wise man:
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11-NIV).
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom” (Proverbs 10:31-NIV).
“The lips of the righteous know what is fitting” (Proverbs 10:32-NIV).
Momma knew that what I say is a reflection of and an influence upon who I am on the inside. How important is it, then, that Christians be persons who encourage, compliment, strengthen, and build up with our words.
The writer of Hebrews instructs us:
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-NIV).
Am I an encourager or a discourager” Do I build up or tear down? Do I feel that God has given me a gift for criticism? There is no such thing!
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things….And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9-NIV).