p. 163 | The Tongue by H. Nicola

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 9, 1871

The Tongue.

By H. Nicola

The tongue was designed by the Creator to express only holy and righteous thoughts, and thereby be a blessing to the race. But this, like many other good things, is wrongly used by many, and will prove a curse in the end. The following are some of the ways in which the tongue is wrongly used, even by many who are trying to be Christians:

First, By speaking vain and idle words. “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt. 12: 36, 37. If all could realize this at all times, words would be much fewer and far better chosen.

Secondly, By foolish talking and jesting. This is generally done when one feels cheerful; but Paul says this is not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. Eph. 5: 4. “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” James 5: 13.

Thirdly, By cursing others. Are any of those who are trying to be Christians guilty of cursing? James says, speaking of the tongue, Therewith bless we God and therewith curse we men. James 3: 9. That the reader may more readily see how cursing is very often done, I will here give one of Mr. Webster’s definitions of the word: “To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness; to vex, harass, or torment; to injure.” In the light of this definition of the word, how many have been cursed by the tongue of the slanderer, the backbiter, and tale-bearer?

There are those who would not be guilty of raising a slanderous report against another, yet would not hesitate to utter and help to circulate one. The wise man says that he who does this is a fool. Prov. 10: 18. And David, in describing what kind of a character shall abide in the tabernacle, says, He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. Ps. 15: 3.

Another very common way of cursing is by speaking angry words, and fretting and scolding. Who can estimate the evil that originates from the tongue of the fretter and scolder? Thousands of families are made miserable and unhappy by irritating words. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

It is no small matter to curse others with the tongue. If we curse our fellow-creatures who are made in the image of God, and have God for their father, we offend God and he cannot accept a blessing from us. Perhaps this is one reason why so many of our prayers are so weak and powerless, and do not seem to go any higher than our heads.

Says James, The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. It is a fire, a world of iniquity, it defileth the whole body, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; but no man can tame it. James 3.

How then can it be managed? There is only one way, and that is to always keep it bridled. “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, this man’s religion is vain.” James 1: 26.

Every word should be considered before the tongue is allowed to utter it. “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips,” Prov. 16: 23. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles.” Prov. 21: 23. “He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” 1 Pet. 3: 10. H. NICOLA.