There are three types of thought within you. One type of thought is your own, and two are from outside - from the good spirit and from the bad spirit.
Thoughts from the bad spirit can give rise to a number of outcomes. You may immediately resist and conquer the thought. You may resist, and yet the thought comes back again and again until finally it is conquered. The individual who is able to deal thus with thoughts from the bad spirit has reached a high level.
However, if the thought from the bad spirit comes and it is listened to, or there is a delay in rejecting the thought, then you still have further to improve. When, as a result of the thought, a bad act is planned or agreed, even though it is not carried out you have still erred, and this affects you. If the action is in fact made, be it physical or spoken, then this is a more serious error as it now affects you and others.
Do not swear by God untruthfully or on matters of no importance as this demeans God. Do not swear by any creature as this demeans God.
Speak only words that will benefit you or others in soul, body, or property. Do not say anything to find fault or injure someone else's character. Instead speak only when the matter is public or to someone who can help the other person fix their fault.
Above all do not lead others into error.
Examine your conscience.
Thank God for the benefits you have received.
Ask God to help you know your faults and overcome them.
Examine each hour of your day in light of the above.
Ask God to pardon your faults.
Commit to changing those faults.
© The White Swami 2009