Words That Edify
It has been said that a sharp tongue and a dull mind are usually found in the same head. That’s worth thinking about, isn’t it? It’s very easy to speak with a sharp tongue if our heart is not given over to Christ’s control.
Few seem to realize the serious consequences of thoughtlessly talking about other people. Gossip has separated old friends and brought cruel misunderstandings. It has blasted the reputations of godly men and broken the hearts of saints. It has impeded the power of the Holy Spirit in our churches, preventing revival. It has brought untold grief and misery to pastors and other Christian leaders. It’s no wonder that James wrote, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19). The way some of us act, it would seem that James is saying “swift to speak, slow to hear and quick to wrath,” but the Scripture says we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. One of the worst dangers of careless speech is the affect it may have on others.
Most of us talk too much. There are some people who just seem to talk all the time. They never let up. One wonders how they can find so much to talk about. The Scriptures offer some sound advice along this line. In Ecclesiastes 5:2, we read, Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Talkativeness is rarely an evidence of spirituality. Check it out. You will discover that the person, who is always talking, never listening, probably has very little by way of a devotional life.
Evil things come out of a wicked heart. Several years ago, I spoke at a Christian organization’s banquet for men. While seated at the speakers’ table, the gentleman in charge of the meeting told a story for the benefit of those of us sitting near him. We who listened were surprised at the story because it was very suggestive. This did something to me for the rest of the evening. Everything this man had to say to his audience was totally ineffective, as far as I was concerned. The Lord Jesus said, A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. A person does not bring forth evil things out of a good heart. Our Lord also said, in Matthew 12:33, the tree is known by his fruit. You don’t get apples from a peach tree. You don’t get oranges from a grapevine, nor do you get unkind, suggestive, sarcastic words from a go od heart. When a person is right with God, his speech will glorify God.
James 1:26, If a man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Some have been turned away from God by Christians who were careless with their words. Others have been attracted to Christ because of what believers said with love and grace. Be a good testimony for our Lord Jesus!
A young man in the construction business was making big money in Oklahoma. While overseeing one of his jobs, he was standing by the well-constructed forms waiting for the cement. When the driver arrived from the concrete company and was backing his truck up to pour the cement, he inadvertently crashed into the forms and demolished them. The construction man began to shout profanity at the truck driver. The driver stepped down from his truck. He was a large man, well over 250 pounds. The builder expected a fight when to his amazement the truck driver said, “I am sorry I broke your forms, Sir. I shall be glad to come out and fix them on my own time. But, Sir,” he continued, “you have just used, in an unholy way, the name of a Friend who is very dear to me. I want to tell you, you’re missing a lot in life.” Then he turned and left. When relating this encounter, the construction man said, “I was relieved. I was sorry. I was, to say the least, confused. I was more than a bit resentful of this man with his limited education who had upset me with his calm reaction to my abuse. This man was bigger than I, but not only by the width of his shoulders. The Lord dealt with me; for what that truck driver said made such an impression upon me that I could not forget it until I surrendered my heart and life to Jesus Christ.” The truck driver who knew the Lord was able to speak the right words at the right time! But this is not the end of the story. Not long after, the builder sold his construction business and began his studies for full-time Christian service. Speaking in a manner honoring to Jesus Christ will not always produce similar results. But one thing is certain, it will please God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Does your speech honor God? Take time today to kneel before the Lord and discuss this matter with Him. Maybe you have offended someone by your speech and your pride has you in control. Don’t ruin your testimony. Go to that one and apologize. Be a peacemaker for God. Then, daily, give consideration to your speech. Ask the Lord to help you say the right thing, that you will not alienate people from the Lord.
Memorize some Scripture that deals with the problem. David said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me (Psalm 39:1). In Psalm 19:14 he prayed, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Are your words acceptable to God? If they are not, it is probably because your life is not acceptable to Him. Maybe you have never met the Lord. You may go to church every Sunday, teach a Sunday school class, or be a church officer or the pastor, but this doesn’t prove that you have Christ in your life. Your speech could suggest otherwise. Make sure of your relationship to the Lord. At this moment say, “Jesus, you know my sin. You know my heart and I am ready to do something about it. Right now, I want to make sure of my salvation. I acknowledge my sin to You and receive Jesus Christ as my Savior.” By receiving Christ, you can rest assured that He is in your life. He is there to stay. Now, let Him control your life. Take time to read and study His word daily, and spend time with Him in prayer. And be careful of what you say. God will bless you for it and He will make you a blessing. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God
(1 Corinthians 10:31,32).
J. Allen Blair
It's Mother's Day!
Remembering your mother on this special day is not just a social action. It is an act of obedience to the teaching of Scripture. Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (Exodus 20:12). Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee (Deuteronomy 5:16). It is New Testament teaching too! Jesus underlined it. Honor thy father and thy mother (Matthew 19:19).
And, finally, Paul wrote, Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise (Ephesians 6:2).
Happy Mother’s Day to our Moms!