habits are broken by replacement…

and then practice speaking positively.

please understand that complaining is a habit.  and habits are only broken by replacement with something else.  you see, you don’t take something out of your life and leave a void in your life.  you have to replace it with something else.  so you take out the negative complaining and replace it with positive speaking. 

ephesians 4.29 (niv), do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

the bible says we’re going to give an account of every idle word.  and paul is saying here, “hey, don’t let any junk come out of your mouths but only that which helps people with their needs, that benefits them.  if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.  replace your criticisms and complaints with compliments.” 

now this is a crucial factor in parenting.  affirmation always gets better results than nagging.  always.

ephesians 6.4 (lb), don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful.  rather, bring them up with loving discipline and GODly advice. 

now parents, do your words help your kids or do they hinder your kids?  are you building your kids up or tearing them down?  be positive in your speaking.  you did that again?  can’t you do any better?  are you building them up or tearing them down?

just a thought from the front porch…