Evil Speaking
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11).
“Let all…evil speaking, be put away from you…and be ye kind one to another” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
When was the last time you said something mean, bad, or nasty about another believer? I heard an interesting quote the other day concerning talking about a brother or sister in Christ. The quote was this…
“Ask yourself three things before speaking:
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?”
There is a fine line between gossip and godly concern. Sometimes things need to be discussed and warning given, but make sure it’s godly concern and not gossip. Make sure that no more is said than is absolutely necessary. Solomon gave God’s instructions when he wrote: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
