Try To Be Tactful
"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive." Colossians 4:6 NLT
If you habitually put your foot in your mouth, there's a scriptural remedy. "Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone" (v. 6 NLT). Notice this: To speak effectively requires you to be "gracious" in your dealings with others. And while honesty is always the best policy, it's not a license to say whatever you want. One of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity when you find yourself in a difficult situation. You would think exhibiting graciousness would come easily to those who claim to be filled with the Spirit of God, but the evidence shows otherwise. We tend to perpetuate the communication style of the family we grew up in. You say, "But sometimes you need to be brutally honest!" Extending grace and being truthful are not mutually exclusive. You can learn to tell the truth tactfully. The Bible says, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17 NIV). Jesus never allowed courtesy and kindness to prevent Him from telling the truth, but He never did it in a mean-spirited way. Nor should you. Sometimes we claim to be "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), when the truth is, that anger, frustration, disappointment, and retaliation are what's truly in our hearts. What's the remedy? Before you speak, take a moment to review the words in your mind, and try to evaluate their impact. Then choose to yield to the Holy Spirit's leading. Doing that will help you develop the emotional discipline necessary for stifling tactless remarks.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
If you habitually put your foot in your mouth, there's a scriptural remedy. "Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone" (v. 6 NLT). Notice this: To speak effectively requires you to be "gracious" in your dealings with others. And while honesty is always the best policy, it's not a license to say whatever you want. One of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity when you find yourself in a difficult situation. You would think exhibiting graciousness would come easily to those who claim to be filled with the Spirit of God, but the evidence shows otherwise. We tend to perpetuate the communication style of the family we grew up in. You say, "But sometimes you need to be brutally honest!" Extending grace and being truthful are not mutually exclusive. You can learn to tell the truth tactfully. The Bible says, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17 NIV). Jesus never allowed courtesy and kindness to prevent Him from telling the truth, but He never did it in a mean-spirited way. Nor should you. Sometimes we claim to be "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), when the truth is, that anger, frustration, disappointment, and retaliation are what's truly in our hearts. What's the remedy? Before you speak, take a moment to review the words in your mind, and try to evaluate their impact. Then choose to yield to the Holy Spirit's leading. Doing that will help you develop the emotional discipline necessary for stifling tactless remarks.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Recent
Archive
2024
January
A New Year, A New StartThis Year, Do First Things FirstNever Stop Learning (1)Never Stop Learning (2)Get Out Of Debt And Stay Out Of DebtDon't Be So ControllingThe Seven-Day ChallengeParent, Keep PerseveringTurning Two Families Into OnePut Your Heart Into Your PartFour Principles For Victorious LivingTake Control Of The Small ThingsDon't Give UpLearning To Listen To God (1)Learning To Listen To God (2)Learning To Listen To God (3)Learning To Listen To God (4)Set Other Things Aside And ServeGod And WorkHow To Enrich And Strengthen Your RelationshipsProphecy FulfilledDon't Shout About ItYou're Growing In GraceWalking With GodYour Secret PlaceWork On Growing CloserAre You Worried About Retirement?Gideon's God Is Your GodTo Grow We Must Keep Asking QuestionsBe Interested In Everything God DoesTo Know God, Examine What He Has Made
February
God Will Speak to You - If You ListenDo The WordPraying Without Saying A WordShow Grace Under FireHaving Job Security (1)Having Job Security (2)Having Job Security (3)Having Job Security (4)The Holy Spirit Prays Through YouYour Personal GuideStop and Ask For DirectionsYour Harvest Is On The WayGive Your Children Convictions To Live ByYour Limted Window of OpportunityPull Down Those StrongholdsUse The Gift God Gave YouFinding Self-WorthMuzzle Your MouthChoosing a LeaderGod Knows What's Best For YouAre You Tired of Living in Defeat?Make an ImpactBe a Disciple of JesusTake Time to Wonder and WorshipLive the Living WordBe Patient, God Is At WorkTo Be Conformed Is To Be CreativeLive In The "Here and Now"You Need God's Help
March
Going Forward Or Going BackCome Out Of That CornerTell The TruthBelieve God For Greater ThingsHonor God, And He Will Honor YouMoving From Failure To Success (1)Moving From Failure To Success (2)The Right Attitude (1)The Right Attitude (2)"Strong, Firm And Steadfast"Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (1)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (2)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (3)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (4)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (5)Are You Hooked On Pornography?You Can Rise Above Worry (1)You Can Rise Above Worry (2)Your Boaz seasonStand On God's Word (1)Stand On God's Word (2)Stand On God's Word (3)Stand On God's Word (4)Stand On God's Word (5)God Will Forgive And Restore YouDon't Strike BackAre You A True Friend?The Right BalanceEvidences Of Christ's Resurrection (1)Evidences Of Christ's Resurrection (2)Evidences Of Christ's Resurrection (3)
Categories
no categories