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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2\u00a0<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n Our title implies that \u201cgood manners\u201d are in decline in the general public. Courtesy and kindness ought to \u201ccome natural\u201d to a Christian. Rudeness, insensitivity, sharp and cutting words are not a part of the refined behavior that should characterize the elect. Such traits have caused countless doors to be forever slammed shut against the Gospel. Doubtless, many churches have suffered grievous problems by harsh and intemperate speech. \u00a0Such ill manners are born and bred in utter selfishness, their owners apparently incapable of considering the possibility that their fellow-beings might have feelings. Those who boast, \u201cI always say what I think, and everyone knows it,\u201d might profit by being sentenced to a year\u2019s confinement with none but their own kind. If these folk could hear what others think of their total insensitivity to the feelings of others, they would surely be ashamed. For myself, when I run across those who must spill every thought they ever had or have (often with the volume \u201cwide open\u201d), I avoid them. Generally, they can hardly ever be helped because they already know all there is to know.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While this utterly childish disposition may be found in all ages of people, it seems to be most common to those who are older. It appears that some think that longevity gives them the right to be downright discourteous and regular grouches. However, the uncivil speech malady is no respecter of persons; it is also frequently observable among teenagers and young adults, especially on \u201csocial\u201d internet sites, their words often liberally laced with gross profanity.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In response some may say, \u201cPeople shouldn\u2019t be so sensitive.\u201d Perhaps not. But no \u201cperhaps\u201d about it, the Lord\u2019s people should not be ill-mannered and thoughtless of others in behavior \u201cin general, including our speech: \u201cLove Suffereth long, and is kind\u201d (1 Cor. 13:4); \u201cPut on therefore, as God\u2019s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness,\u201d (Col. 3:12); \u201c\u2026 the fruit of the Spirit is love,\u2026 kindness,\u2026 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law\u201d (Gal. 5:22\u201323). Kindness, gratitude, and courtesy are universally appreciated. Divine wisdom dictates behavior that is pure, peaceable, and gentle (Jam. 3:17). How beautiful is the life adorned with such increasingly rare jewels!<\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for, and it was published in the January 3, 1975, edition of the Granbury Gospel, <\/em>weekly bulletin of the Granbury Church of Christ, Granbury, Texas, of which I was editor.]<\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner, curator and administrator.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 0[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2\u00a0 page.] Our title implies that \u201cgood manners\u201d are in decline in the general public. Courtesy and kindness ought to \u201ccome natural\u201d to a Christian. Rudeness, insensitivity, sharp and cutting words are…<\/p>\n