Relationships

Proverbs 20:19

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”

What wonderful counsel, for trust is the foundation of all relationships!  I have become a big fan of Blaise Pascal and this is a quote from him; “Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back.”  Now Blaise lived in 1600, and the old is forever new, or not much has changed.  But if the relationship is built on trust and honesty, a person is free to tell the friend to their face all that they would say behind their back.

Jesus has a warning in Matthew 12:36-37, about careless words, and one like myself should take this to heart.  “I tell you on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”  My Dad was very careful in his speech and lived by this statement; if you cannot say something good about a person then keep your mouth shut.  What a great way to live life, I wish much earlier in life I would have followed dad’s instruction, for it lines up with what Jesus is teaching us.

Blaise also said, “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.”  It is so easy to be kind up to a point, but when pride enters the room, kind words are difficult to find.  I know, for it was yesterday, I was at Walgreens Pharmacy, they have two windows, and one says, “Drop off “ the other says “ Pick up” and I had a prescription to drop off.  It also has a sign to wait in line until you are next.  No one was at the drop off line but one person was waiting in the pickup line so I went to the drop-off and ask a young lady if that was where I needed to leave my prescription and she told me to get back in line and wait my turn.

I was not ready, and yes that old pride came in and grace went out the door.  Why did it get to me, I detest old people who cut in line or people who believe they are too good to cue up.  At that moment she had put me in that group and pride came charging in.  I’m going to make a point of talking with that young lady and asking her to forgive my harshness. 

Let’s end with 1 Peter 2:12, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice