Instructive Examples by Adolphus Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1870

Instructive Examples.

By Adolphus Smith

“LET your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matt. 5: 37.

The obligation to be chaste in conversation, rests upon every child of God. Not only the precepts of Jesus, who spake as never man spake, but also the teachings of the apostles abound with important instructions on this point. And, indeed, the Old Testament scriptures are replete with commandments, influences, examples, and incidents, enjoining this obligation.

“Thou shalt not surely die,” was the first lie uttered in Eden, and its dire consequences are sadly felt by fallen man, and will be till God shall turn to his people a pure language, and every liar shall have expiated his guilt by a portion in the lake of fire.

Cain talked with his brother; and in the same verse it is said, “he slew him.” God saw that the thoughts of the hearts of men, before the flood, were only evil continually; and Jesus afterwards testified that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh; and, if, as it is in the days of the coming of the Son of Man, so it was before the flood, we justly conclude that they were given to low, unchaste, unholy, conversation. That was then, as its counterpart will be now, soon exchanged for wailing, because of the judgments of God.

The ten spies, who, with Caleb and Joshua, were sent to view the land of Canaan, returned with an evil report, and dire was the consequence to the murmuring children of Israel.

When the patience of Job was put, seemingly, to the severest test, it is recorded, “In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Says David, “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.” He further asks, “Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle?” Ans., “He that speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, . . . nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” David thus testifies of the ungodly: “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.”

Says Solomon, “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow;” but “A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Our Lord, in the language quoted at the head of this article, plainly intimates that superfluous language in conversation is wrong.

He would, evidently, have us use the most proper and pure language to convey our ideas. This should consist, not only in the use of chaste words, to the exclusion of everything of a light and trifling character, but, I believe, that every Christian should pay some regard to the proper construction of sentences. Else, why not copy the style of Artemas Ward, Nasby, or Josh Billings, if the fancy so lead? Should we not rather copy after those who speak our language in its purity?

The practice of jesting or joking, is plainly forbidden in the Scriptures. See Eph. 5: 4.

“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.” Eph. 4: 29.

“And whatever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col. 3: 17.

Is it right then to tell stories, and relate anecdotes? Yes, when such would edify, or minister grace to the hearers, or when such can be uttered in the name of Jesus, and with thanksgiving to God.

My brethren, says James, if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Jas. 3: 2.

ADOLPHUS SMITH.

Kent Co., Mich.