Good Manners and Right Conduct

Back in my elementary years in the Philippines, we have this course called GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct). Looking back, I find this course very helpful especially in our present time.

I can’t understand why there are people who have no sense of propriety. Their mouth is such a foul. They are condescending, rude and offensive. I can probably understand if they are not practicing Christians, but they are! That’s what makes it worst. Where did all the teachings go? Where is the taming of the tongue?

Saint Paul’s tells the Ephesians. (Eph.4:29) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Saint James Letter holds us to the truth (James 3:5-18), “In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

On the other hand, I thank them because they raised my emotions and inspires me to write. But other than that, they should be avoided at all costs, they are not good for our health.

Do you have good manners and right conduct?

by aats