Good Manners

Good Morning,
 
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Cor. 15:33).

Work that we do with our children, developing good character, can be undone so quickly by bad company.  If you see a spirit of discontent, disrespect, rebellion, etc., this may all be lumped into "bad attitude" in your children, look at a typical day to see if you can spot some of their “bad company.” These can be Christian or non-Christian children or adults, siblings, a television show, books, or video games.

Eliminate media that is negatively influencing your child; it is not worth the money you paid for it. Work with the child's siblings to create better character in them, and closely supervise their time spent together. Adjust or discontinue time spent with other individuals, closely supervising relations.

Never underestimate the possibility of other people or things negatively influencing your children. It's more difficult if the bad influence is coming from a family member or highway billboards, but it's another if you encourage and promote it on a regular basis. Deal with these “evil communications” as soon as possible, and when you do, think eternally, not temporally.
 
Though this is advice to parents of younger children and early teens, it is relevant to all of us.  Throughout my years in the workplace, I saw many times, the person with a "good attitude" getting the promotions, advances, and good job performance ratings, though they may not have truly been the most productive worker.  Many times a smarter individual, a more productive worker with a "bad attitude" would be passed over.  These attitudes in adults, in you and I, are developed in the same way as within the child.  As usual, God's word has great advice for us all.
 
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."   Psalm 1:1-2
 
May God bless you today, and always remember that you are loved!!!

Henry