illegal dumping

One bright four year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

People who put trash in our baskets! Ever met someone like that? These are people who don't seem to mind telling you what you neither wanted to hear nor expected to hear. Yet, they see it as their God ordained lot in life to illegally dump on other people without any regard to feelings or otherwise.

There are those that are illegally dumping 'by speaking the truth.' They have read the scripture that you are to speak the truth in love, but somehow miss the 'in love' aspect. It seems that this interpretation of that scripture allows them to say unrestrained whatever they have on their heart regarding you. Because after all they are 'speaking the truth!' There is no concern for your feelings, how you are going to receive it, and by the way, if it is really true!

There are also those that are illegally dumping by speaking 'constructive criticism' to you. It is their intent to inform you of how wrong you are by hiding it under the disguise of 'constructive criticism' rather than destructive criticism. No matter how you wrap it, it still is destructive.

Then there are those that illegally dump by 'just criticizing' for criticisms sake. They are predisposed in life to be negative about everything and everyone. I don't have time nor grace for these people!

Regardless of which of the three someone is using to illegally dump on you, the results are devastating to say the least. It is so easy to sound superior when we talk to others about their shortcomings. It makes us appear a little holier than they! But God says that we are to approach others with meekness, since we are subject to the same weaknesses that they are. True meekness is the fruit of the Spirit's control in our lives; we ourselves are to be filled with the Spirit. When He is in control we will sound neither harsh nor unkind, nor will we imply for a moment that we are faultless ourselves.

Eph 4:29
29 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. NIV

Oh, that God's people would learn to shut their mouths from illegally dumping and only use them to bless and build others up!

Only speak words of life!