Sound Speech by Charles Cave

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1902

Sound Speech

By Charles Cave

CHARLES CAVE

The faculty of speech is one of the most sacred endowments bestowed upon man. By it he is elevated above the lower order of creation, and placed in a position a little lower than that of the angels. It was for a noble purpose that the Lord gave him this wonderful talent. The tongue is one of those members which should be yielded as instruments of righteousness. With it “bless we God, even the Father.” It is therefore incumbent on every one so to use this gift as to meet the design of the Giver.

Our characters are greatly influenced by our conversation. Every word we speak enters into the moral structure which we are daily building, and conduces either to strengthen or to weaken it. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” The effect of our words is never lost. A current of influence is started which will reach into eternity. The Saviour says that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” This solemn statement should lead each one to have his words few and well chosen.

Frequent indulgence in joking is condemned by the Word of God; but it is not often considered unholy. Precious moments that should be spent in pure and elevated conversation are thoughtlessly wasted in idleness. The glory of the starry heavens, the beauty of the trees and flowers,—all that tends to ennoble the mind and gladden the heart are left aside for the sake of that which is light and unprofitable. Yet, couched in the most scathing language, the Lord says: “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?” What a fearful denunciation of him that delights in frivolity! And with what abhorrence does the Lord view such idleness and folly! Yet how many there are who delight in trying to deceive in so-called sport, and do not realize that the Lord regards this as lying. A lie is a lie whether it is told “in sport” or not. A faithful record of all these delinquencies is kept, and will, unless blotted out through the mediation of Christ, condemn the soul. The Lord desires that his followers should let their “speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.” Their conversations should be of a salutary character. Every utterance should be the outgrowth of holy thoughts, giving testimony to the sanctifying power of Christ in the soul. When talk of a flippant character is indulged, the Lord is dishonored, and there is a lack of spiritual power.

Through the apostle we are admonished: “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. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Those who shall stand on Mount Zion will be those who have ordered their conversation aright, and whose thoughts, words, and actions have been kept under the full control of the Spirit of God. Thus it is written of them, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Without fault!—most desirable plaudit! Be it the constant prayer of those who desire to be in this holy company, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.”