Are you Trustworthy?
Are you worthy of another’s trust? Are your kids trustworthy? Trustworthiness and confidentiality are vital to good relationships.
Ephesians 4:29 is a great place to begin when discussing trustworthiness and confidentiality with your kids. “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.” Let’s break it down…
UNWHOLESOME TALK
This includes bad-mouthing others, foul language, gossip, rudeness. Proverbs 18:21a tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words need to speak life and truth into others. We get to choose the words we use. All unwholesome talk diminishes the value of others as well as the speaker. Gossip kills relationships by destroying trust.
BUILDING OTHERS UP
Not all words are beneficial and not all words encourage others. Choose to be kind. Thinking of the needs of others before our own is part of building others up. Venting may feel good or even appropriate at the moment, but it’s rarely helpful and results in distrust or even shame.
ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS
Sometimes the intent of the comment or suggestion misses the mark because we make it all about ourselves. Trust comes from being able to rely on the ones who come alongside to encourage, train, and keep confidences.
BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN
Our words are to inspire, encourage, and love others. This is especially true in parenting. Children mimic the adults in their lives, parents, extended family members, teachers, and caregivers. Our words are to be a testament of our faith, modeling how to be truthful, empathetic, loving, and kind.
Respectful communication, both verbal and non-verbal builds a culture of trust. Ephesians 4:29 is a good reminder for everyone to think before speaking and to choose one’s words well.
Related Posts
Trustworthy and Honest Kids
Raise Responsible Kids
Why Kids Need Virtues Training
© 2024 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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