Eli made sure to note that it was the bad report of his sons that was causing God’s people to transgress. A bad report can cause the destruction of another’s soul. Even a bad report with no truth to it can still cause damage. We must be sure not to gossip. (Lev. 19:16) Those “harmless” words you pass on could be destroying more than you know. Focus on the good that people do. Share the great things of others. Stay clear of the bad and refuse to gossip. Some live lives that generate a bad reputation. We don’t need to help them by talking about them. When you hear something bad about someone with a good reputation go talk to them. The odds are in their favor that it is not true. You may be saving them some grave heartache. Be sure to generate a good report about yourself by the way you live. Then you can lead people to the salvation of their souls instead of the destruction. See Psalm 15-1-3.
Think on what is lovely. Let God direct your mind to what is truly lovely in this world. At the very least that tree, flower, and blade of grass that He made and you saw today is lovely. Let Him influence your thoughts every day until you think on what God considers lovely. Then dwell on those things. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (Col. 3:16) There will be an overflow of lovely thoughts pour from your mind. Think about how encouraging to others that would be. Think lovely thoughts.
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