Book of Believers

3 | "THE GOAL OF CHATTER"

There are a lot of people who have offended you, and they don't even know they have.

On the other hand, you have offended other people and they simply have yet to tell you.

I've had several friends over the years that are unsure of how to talk to others or me about racial issues existing in our country for the fear they may sound offensive. However, I believe the best thing we can do in conversations like these is to ask genuine questions in love.

Asking questions can create healthy dialogue around tense topics. This gives you the opportunity to understand other people's perspective and narrows the gap for offense to govern your conversations. 

I love how Paul talked about this in Colossians:

"The goal is to bring out the best

in the others in a conversation, not put

them down, not cut them out."

Colossians 4:6 (THE MESSAGE)

You will not be able to control all of the people who will offend you in your lifetime, but you can be intentional with your part in the conversations you have with other people. Make a decision today that the goal of your future conversations and interactions will be to bring out the best in other people. 

Point out the greatness in a friend.

Tell someone what they are good at; they may have forgotten or not realized it yet.

Go through their social media account and like a few of their posts. Write a kind comment on it. It's not to be fake. It's to be intentional.

If we're honest, it's not difficult to criticize anything or anybody. It almost comes naturally to us. But what if we all chose to be better than that? For us to bring out the best in others in our conversations, we have to actually be looking for the best.

Readings:

"Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person."
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭CEB‬‬

"Kind persons benefit themselves, but cruel people harm themselves."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:17‬ ‭CEB‬‬

"A sensitive answer turns back wrath, but an offensive word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge, but the mouth of a fool gushes with stupidity. The LORD's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on evil and good people. Wholesome speech is a tree of life, but dishonest talk breaks the spirit."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:1-4‬ ‭CEB‬‬