--- title: So I really can't say mean things to people? description: "Courtney Vallejo has resolved to live out Ephesians 4:29. \"Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them.\"" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/09/28/so-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people#) # So I really can't say mean things to people? Sep 28, 2015 3:00:41 PM  |  by [Courtney Vallejo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/courtney-vallejo) [![Photo courtesy of Courtney Vallejo. All rights reserved.](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/photo-9-copy.jpg?width=320&height=240&name=photo-9-copy.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/photo-9-copy.jpg) Photo courtesy of Courtney Vallejo. All rights reserved. It's been the typical run-of-the-mill week at my house, nothing out of the ordinary to report, but it seems like a lot of little things have added up to a feeling of despair. Although everyone is healthy and we have food on the table, I've noticed a negative undertone this week in the way I speak to my family. In trying to encourage my family in different endeavors, my words of encouragement have seemed to come out as negative and critical. In a cry to God, he blessed me with of messages of hope, thanks to Christian radio. He reminded me: "*His Grace is Enough*" (Matt Maher) and that in times of trouble "You're the anchor of my hope, the only one whose in control, I will cast my cares on you." (*Finding Favour*). Then this morning in a despairing mood, I skipped morning prayer and after another one of those unhappy conversations with my family, decided it was time to sit down with my prayer book. God spoke again. In the Liturgy of the House, Volume 4, Week 1, Friday Morning Prayer, the reading is from Ephesians 4:29-32. It says, > "Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them.  Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind.  In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ." WOW! I swear I've NEVER read that Scripture! So today, instead of responding in anger I will attempt to control my own mouth so that evil will not pass over my lips. I will remember that regardless of what others say to me, or how they treat me, that I must be in control of my own reactions and responses. **What Bible verses has God used to speak to you recently?**   *Copyright 2015 Courtney Vallejo.* *Photo copyright 2015 Courtney Vallejo. All rights reserved.* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F09%2F28%2Fso-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F09%2F28%2Fso-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F09%2F28%2Fso-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=So%20I%20really%20can%27t%20say%20mean%20things%20to%20people%3F) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F09%2F28%2Fso-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F09%2F28%2Fso-i-really-cant-say-mean-things-to-people%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Courtney Vallejo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/COURTNEY%20VALLEJO.jpeg) ### [Courtney Vallejo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/courtney-vallejo) Courtney Vallejo is a convert to the Catholic faith. She and her husband are homeschooling parents of three adopted children. She loves speaking at women's groups and Catholic conferences! Courtney is a Barton tutor for Dyslexic children. She writes for her own blog, [CourtneyVallejo.com](http://CourtneyVallejo.com). She is also the co-founder of AMomRevolution.com and has a master's degree in Film Production. ## Related Blog Articles [ Keeping Silent Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/01/26/keeping-silent) [ Words of Affirmation Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/02/27/words-of-affirmation) [ Handling Tantrums: It's Not If, It's When! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/02/23/handling-tantrums-its-not-if-its-when) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.