There would be times I would lash out and get angry about the intentional malicious acts I experienced. I would often confide in others, and they attempted to calm me down by insulting my persecutors.  Justifying the negativity by demonizing the people.

I am guilty of listening to others joke about people who have hurt me.  I even partook in the festivities, justifying my actions by the hurt I was experiencing. I must admit there was a time I thought it was quite amusing.  Laughter is the best medicine, right?

As I reflect nothing good has come from conversations about those, who hurt me.  Participating in the negativity only contributes to the problem. If I choose to sit around and talk about people, I am no better than my persecutors.

Scripture gives clear instruction on how we are to conduct ourselves in conversation. “Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say (Ephesians 4:29, CEV).  I like the version used here because of its plain language and to the point.

It’s not okay to badmouth someone even if they have wronged you.  Unforgiveness is another tactic of the devil.  He causes this emotion to linger with us, and the result is additional sin. I chose to allow unforgiveness to motivate me to sin and hurt others.

The Word teaches us that love covers a multitude of sin. Instead of using love I covered sin with sin.  Today I ask God to allow love to enter my heart.  I no longer want to be the person who partakes and condones insulting my persecutors.