<b>“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers IN SPEECH, in life, in love, in faith and in purity…Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress” – 1 Timothy 4:12,15</b>

The way we talk to one another, our speech, is a big issue for girls.  I don’t think that girls are always trying to be mean or hurtful when they talk about their friends, or even in the way they approach us, as parents.  But whether the intent is to be cruel or not, it is hurtful.

This passage in 1 Timothy encourages our daughters to be an example in their speech even though they are young.   Three critical areas of speech: gossip, honoring our parents, and lying.  The things we put into our mouths is far less harmful than what comes out of our mouths.
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Here are some suggestions.
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<li>I pray that gossip would be repulsive to us – that the Holy Spirit would immediately point out gossip to us before it leaves our mouths.  Pray that the Lord would give us the strength to obey when He quickens us not to speak what is in our thoughts.  Psalm 37:30; Psalm 39:1; James 1:26</li>
<li>Our children should not take a harsh, disrespectful tone with us, their parents.  It is important that they learn to honor their parents, to express themselves and their opinions in a positive way, and be submitted to their authority.  You have all heard children speak to their parents in an unacceptable way, and it makes everyone uncomfortable.  Let’s pray together that our children would be appropriate in their approach and honoring with their speech.</li>
<li>Something I pray for our kids almost daily is that they would have a truthful spirit.  Lying is a dangerous and difficult habit to break.  I have told my own children on more than one occasion that lying is the thing which scares me most.  We parents need to know the truth about the things our kids are dealing with.  When we don’t, our decisions become ineffective and incorrect in many cases.  We cannot help our children or make wise decisions on their behalf without accurate information.  Pray that the truth would rise up in them and roll right off their tongues.  Psalm 50:19; Psalm 25:5; Psalm 51:6</li>
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There is a great amount of power in the tongue.  Life and death to be exact.  I am praying with you as we teach our children to have discipline and self-control as it relates to their speech.

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My love, Candy