Stop the Gossip Madness!

OK i hate gossip, i do because half the time they are NOT true- they are done for our pleasure at the cost of others. Lately i've been very careful what comes into my ears and out of my mouth. My new motto is "if it doesn't edify or build me or anyone else, i don't want to see it, hear it or talk about it".  I always tell my kids when they are chatting with friends on the phone or in person, "don't discuss people in a bad way, talk about places, ideas or things." but how easy is it to TELL you kids to do and  not do, when how hard is it for us to apply it in our lives. I am leaning to live by example. One way i am handleling negative talk is through the usage of phone and internet. Today i placed these labels on my phone so we are all reminded of what the Bible says about gossiping or trash talking...

I know you can't see them very well but this is what it says

James 4:11

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

Ephesians 4:20

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.

These verses are self explanatory. My prayers are that God continues to change our heart, and that through our actions we honor Him first and learn day by day to Love one another just as Jesus loves us.