Idle Words by William Nehring

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

Idle Words

By William Nehring

WILLIAM NEHRING

“I SAY unto you,” says our Lord, “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.

An apostle says, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks.” Eph. 5: 3, 4.

There is no greater evil in the world to-day than that of idle, pernicious talking, condemned in the texts already quoted. It is a popular idea among young people that in order to enjoy life and the society of others, they must jest and joke and be witty, to produce laughter and merriment for others, and also to attract attention to themselves. These ideas obtain in many homes, and are encouraged in various ways. The judgment alone will reveal the terrible harvest of evil resulting from the idle and useless words that should never have been spoken.

Perhaps there is no other subject concerning which there is so much jesting and joking as that of love and marriage. From bantering the little school children on up, in various degrees of foolishness and vulgarity, boys and girls, fathers and mothers, old and young, with few exceptions, seem to take part, more or less, in this great evil. To a great extent these are doing the same work in poisoning the hearts and minds of the young that is done by the vile and vulgar, out of whose perverse and wicked hearts evil is continually being brought forth in impure words and evil insinuations.

Let us try to see why there is so much harm in this jesting, which some think so harmless and smart.

In wisdom and love, and in order to bind the human family in bonds of union, happiness, and love that could not easily be broken, God ordained the marriage relation. This is the most sacred and holy relation that human beings can enter into, if carried out as God intended. If not so carried out, the homes and happiness of those who enter its covenant are ruined, and, breaking their solemn vows, the sins of fathers and mothers are visited upon future generations. Because God’s purpose in this is not carried out, the world to-day is reaping an awful harvest of crime, insanity, immorality, and disease, and all these evils are terribly on the increase.

At no previous time in the history of our country has the marriage relation been so lightly regarded and divorces so easily obtained as at the present time, while gross immorality prevails to an alarming extent; and no doubt the same is true of all the world. One great reason for all this is that false and improper ideas are held in regard to the sacred covenant that a pure and holy God himself ordained. Through jesting and joking, that which is pure and holy is brought down to a low, cheap, vulgar level.

We should think with reverence of the wonderful work of God, which we can never fully understand in this sinful world. Then let us no more dishonor him by speaking lightly of any of his works. Love is a plant of heavenly origin; but the genuine article is scarce, because it has long been counterfeited and made a mockery of by thoughtless jesters.

While children in times past grew up together as friends, playmates, and schoolmates, to-day these happy relations seem out of date, and we often hear parents, friends, and others teasing little children about their beaux, sweethearts, and the like. O, that all who do this might realize the evil of it! No wonder the children become indignant; for even in their childish simplicity, they seem to know that it is too sacred a subject to be treated in such a trifling manner, and that it is a matter in which they have no part until they reach later years. But alas, the teasing and tormenting continue, until often they become bold, flippant, and immodest, losing respect for and confidence in parents and friends, and turning away from God.

“A girl’s best friend is her mother.” But the father also should be included, and the boys as well as the girls should receive the loving counsel and advice of parents. Then let fathers and mothers be careful how they jest with their children; for if they are always met with jests and jokes concerning the nature God himself has given, they certainly will not feel like confiding in their parents in reference to their associates and the attachments they will form sooner or later. At some time all youth will gain from some source a knowledge of life and of their special natures. Then let all lovers of purity awake to their responsibility and teach the truth line upon line and precept upon precept; for this truth, when mixed with the vile error of Satan, is dangerous to the young and inexperienced.

Let us be careful not to “offend one of these little ones;” for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Kiel, Okla.