Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
We know that the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, somehow we regularly fall into the habit of gossiping and carelessly speaking about those closest to us.
Bitterness, broken trust, unmet expectations, jealousy, insecurity, and boredom are some of main the reasons we speak badly of others. I wonder if we had a better understanding of how loved we are by God, a conviction that His love covers a multitude of sins, whether our conversations would be so full of contempt?
We are quick to teach kids the ‘Golden Rule’ – do to others as you would have them do to you. Let’s take some time today to ask God to show us where we need to be more like the Good Samaritan and less like the contemptuous Pharisees in our relationships with others.
Father, thank you that you are a God of love and your love drives out all fear. I need you to show me how much you love me, so that I can love others better. Forgive me for all the times I have chosen to act out of a place of fear, rather than out of your love. Help me choose to see others as you see them.