We aren’t supposed to judge people, but we can’t help but develop some kind of impression of people as we interact with them. Patty and I went out to dinner tonight at a fairly nice restaurant. Our waitress was very friendly and enjoyable to talk to as she served us. I immediately formed a strong impression of her through her words, demeanor, and the personality that came out of her every pore. As we ate and she periodically stopped to see how we were doing, I couldn’t help but wonder how some people end up like her when they become adults, and others end up rude and obnoxious and difficult to be nice to. I am sure much of it is personality, but I also know that we can choose to talk nice to people and work at honoring those we are with even if we don’t know them well or even if we don’t like them.
I think the best training for our self-control and discipline in how we talk to people is to work extra hard at being nice and gracious to those who are rude, obnoxious, and dishonoring to us. Many will exercise enough self-control not to return insult for insult, but we often will be anything but pleasant and gracious in return.

Luke 6:32-33 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.