"Speaking Things They Ought Not"

Ever find yourself saying something you shouldn't? Ever realize that the conversation your involved in has turned to gossip or backbitting? Have you ever walked away from a conversation and thought "Lord, Why did I say that?" In 1 Timothy 5, Paul addresses how the older and younger widows are to conduct themselves. Look at Paul's description of the older widows. "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." These older widows are praised for their good works. Paul proceeds to say that the younger widows need to remarry because they are prone to gossip and being busybodies. He wants them to remarry so that they "give none occasion to the adversary"... "For some are already turned aside after Satan." Look at the difference between the older widows and the younger. The older haven't let their circumstances get the better of them. The haven't become so ripened with age that they are rotten. No, instead they have used their time wisely to help others. Those older women knew that complaining about their circumstances wouldn't change anything. Instead, they were uncomplaining servants. The younger widows that "turned aside" allowed their circumstances to consume them. They were bitter and hateful. They weren't loving servants. They were cold, uncaring, cynical women. The Bible says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." And Philippians 4:8, tells us what we should think about so that we will change what we talk about. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." Someone once said, We never PRAY for People we Gossip about and we never GOSSIP about people we Pray For. And let me add... We never really Pray for people that we don't love with God's Love. If your tongue is out of Control... there is a problem with your heart. Where is your first love? Have you left Christ to pursue other dreams? When you get overwhelmed by your circumstances look at the characters in the Bible who faced great challenges. Look at those who overcame like Daniel. Daniel never complained, nor did he get bitter or critical because of his circumstances. Instead, He just obeyed God and continued where God put him. He did this without compliant. The attitude opposite of complaining is praising. Will you ask the LORD to help you reflect on His Blessings this week?