The Telephone Game — Gossip vs. Encouragement - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk 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. (NIV)
Before I tell you this story, I need to remind you of two things. First, I love my wife. Secondly, you’re on my side in this story.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I love giving gifts. Some of my gifts are home runs. Others are…not. A few years ago I had the great idea to get my wife some new pots and pans for Christmas. (Don’t forget #2 from above.) I spent countless hours researching the best type with the best reviews. I was super excited because I got her what I thought was one of the best sets for the money. This is also the time I should probably tell you that my wife DOES NOT like to cook. She’s a good cook, but she just doesn’t enjoy it. So you can imagine the surprised look on her face when she unwrapped the big box on Christmas morning to find a full set of cookware.
Our words are gifts (of sorts). And with our words we can either lift people up, or tear people down. Another way of looking at that is to say this. My words can either lift others up, or they can lift me up (at the expense of tearing others down). Each day we begin with infinite opportunities to encourage people. We can use every interaction as a way to gift people encouragement and kindness. We can use our words to put others first and lift them up.
Or we can speak unkind words and gossip and tear others down. We may not realize it, but we’re trying to make ourselves look better by making others look worse. In reality, we’re giving gifts of poison that hurt others AND ourselves. And that is a gift that’s infinitely worse than your worst Christmas present…even pots and pans.
REFLECTION
How can you use your words as gifts today? Look at every interaction with someone as an opportunity to give the gift of encouragement. Try to build up as many people as possible today.