It's time to put a muzzle over my mouth!

Oh my gosh!  I have been running my mouth like a crazy person lately!  And not everything coming out of it has been so nice.  Since when did I start talking about what I think is wrong with other people!?  I used to be quick to say, "I don't care what such and such is doing, I'm too worried about what I'm doing!"

Lately I've jumped on the gossip bandwagon and have been doing a bit of backbiting and I feel awful!

There was a time when I wouldn't dare bring light to my wrongs and I now feel the need to blog about them to the whole world.  Go figure...

If you never admit you have a problem, you'll never be able to fix it, right?  :))

What is the definition of a backbiter?  Here is what is says on thefreedictionary.com 

back·bite v. back·bit, back·bit·ten, back·bit·ing, back·bites v.tr. To speak spitefully or slanderously about (another). v.intr. To speak spitefully or slanderously about a person.

And here's what it says on dictionary.com

back·bite

   [bak-bahyt]  Show IPA verb, back·bit,back·bit·ten or ( Informal ) back·bit; back·bit·ing.

verb (used with object)

1.

to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).

verb (used without object)

2.

to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.

Terrible right?  Yeah, I think so too.  I can't believe I've started doing this!  I'm sure none of you have this problem and would never talk about anyone behind their back ;)  Right?  Right.... :))

I don't know about you, but at the end of the day I'm not proud of some of the things I've said about other people behind their backs.  And being someone that others often look up to, am I really setting a good example?

It takes courage and self-control to hold your tongue and not say anything if you don't have something good to say about a person.  Especially if you are in a group and they are all talking trash about other people too!

But like the old school moms said, "If someone else jumps off of a bridge, does that mean you're gonna jump off too?"  No!  So why add your own can of junk to the trash talking?

I aim to be EXCELLENT in all of my ways, so this backbiting has got to stop!  Plus I know that you reap what you sow and I am not trying to have people do the same thing to me!

The bible has a lot to say about backbiting.  I don't want to bombard you, but check this out....

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 32 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 23 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 21 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Psalm 15:1-3 ESV / 19 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

James 4:11-12 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

James 3:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

James 1:26 ESV / 8 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Romans 1:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

James 3:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

Romans 1:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

Proverbs 25:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

James 3:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Ephesians 5:15-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 10:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Romans 2:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Luke 12:57 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Psalm 5:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.

1 Corinthians 2:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

John 8:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Proverbs 25:23-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Psalm 105:1-45 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, ...

Numbers 6:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Need I say anything more?  I think not.  Only that I need to get back to where I used to be and not take part in speaking ill of others.  Really... what good will it do me or anyone else for that matter?

Keep me in your prayers all...  as I do you.  :))

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

Mo'~~~

P.S.  Here are some really great quotes I found about speaking :))

To speak and to speak well are two things.  A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.  ~Ben Jonson


If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it.  ~Earl Wilson


Two monologues do not make a dialogue.  ~Jeff Daly


Of those who say nothing, few are silent.  ~Thomas Neiel


The older I grow the more I listen to people who don't talk much.  ~Germain G. Glien


Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness.  ~Margaret Millar


To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.  ~John Ruskin


There is no such thing as conversation.  It is an illusion.  There are intersecting monologues, that is all.  ~Rebecca West (Cicily Maxwell Andrews), "The Harsh Voice," There Is No Conversation, 1935


By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.  ~Winston Churchill


The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid.  ~Author Unknown