A question for anyone interested: I once read in a devotional that we should ask ourselves these three things

Question

Before we speak about another or to another. Do you agree? Do you ask these of yourself?


Is it kind?
Is it truthful?
Is it needful?

I find that I need to work harder on these things too.

Answer 1

No. But I do my best not to gossip nastly about anyone. I dislike gossip. I knew someone who gossiped way too much. If she gossips still I don't know. I just hope she gets whats coming to her soon so she can learn how hurtful to others she has been.

Answer 2

This was a set of statements originally spoken by Socrates. A student came to him with a large grin and said, "Teacher, I have news!" Clear that the boy intended gossip, Socrates stopped him and pondered. "Tell me, is what you have to say kind of someone?" The boy grinned even bigger. "No sir!" Socrates furrowed his eyebrows and shrugs. "It may still be redeemed. Is what you wish to say true? Do you know it is true personally, or is it something you were told?" The boy is starting to get confused at this point, and shakes his head... "No, teacher, I heard it from another." Socrates nods solemnly. "It may even yet be redeemed, failing these two. Is it something that I would die failing to hear it?" The boy, realizing he's been thoroughly defeated, shakes his head without a word. Socrates concludes, "Then it need not be said."

This also explains why he never found out that his wife was cheating on him.

Answer 3

true to respect others - I always say what I believe to be truthful based upon the knowledge I have at the time - whenever someone asks a question feel it is needful if I answer the question asked as there are some I do not, just like everyone else.

Answer 4

Yes, I agree.

I ask these three questions of myself before I speak when I am spiritually fit. When I am not--like when I am overtaken by anger, e.g.--I don't...and then later regret it.

I ask God to align my will with his, and often, if it is his will, to remove things within me that are against his will. Thank you for reminding me today what I should begin, again, asking God to remove--namely, the practice of sometimes acting out of anger and saying things that are not kind.

I never fudge the truth anymore. And way more times than not do I hold my tongue from saying things that are true but not necessary (needful) to say. But the unkind part...I need God's help to work on that one.

Answer 5

In all honestly I fail to ask myself these questions before speaking. But at the same time, I also recieve the great taste of foot-in-mouth syndrome alot. Thank you for pointhing these out to me though, I believe I shall put these 3 questions to use in my own conversations in the future. Have a wonderful day!

Answer 6

I try to, but I admit that there are times when I fail to ask myself those things before I open my mouth. I think if you have something on your mind that you are iching to express, yet you answer no to each of those questions, nothing good is going to come out of it. If we all where so considerate, the world would be a much better place :)

Answer 7

Yes and No.

I suppose what it is being refered to here is the necessity of gossip rather than required conversation. Unfortunately gossip can be both bad and good. My mother always used to say; if you dont have a nice word to say, say nothing. Well I dont agree, sometimes in life we have to say things which are not very nice, could be hurtful, and could be wrong. To me, I say what is required, I gossip amongst trusted people at work and in turn they do too, its life. A romantic idea that it is to only say positive things, negative comments also have just as an important place.

Answer 8

I really like this. I do think before I speak to make sure it's not hurtful. I make sure it's needed and I would hate to speak any untruths about anyone. I would love to hear more things like this.

Answer 9

I agree, and although I don't actually think those three questions, it's ingrained in me to be reserved and kind (I backspace a lot to erase anything that might be mean). And of course, telling lies, half-truths, or what I think to be true without qualifying it with a "this is what I THINK" is unacceptable to me.

Answer 10

Pretty good advice, but I'd like to add, "Is it funny"? We've all got to laugh at ourselves now and then, surely?

Mind you, if Daytime TV tried the first three, we'd be looking at blank screens an awful lot more!!!

Answer 11

My husband would say I really need to ask myself these questions. I open my mouth so fast. I am a very blunt person, and many times I have stuck my foot in. Great question.