Use and Abuse of the Tongue.
By A. S. Hutchins
Man is a social being. Language, or speech, is one of the most valuable gifts of the Creator to him. By this means thoughts are expressed and communicated with ease. If the tongue is the glory of the human system (see Ps. 16: 9; Acts 2: 26), with what a jealous care should it be guarded; for a right use of it may greatly increase the pleasure and happiness of social life, multiplying joys and scattering sorrows, or it may send grief and anguish of soul wherever its influence is felt. It portrays the dying love of the crucified Saviour; it tells the joy and peace of pardoned sins. In strains of most lofty praise to Him who died to save us, it will join in redemption’s triumphant song, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” So important is the proper use of this member that James says: “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man’s religion is vain.” And again, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” With this instruction before us, and much more from the same writer on the use and abuse of the tongue, it certainly is to be feared that the religion of many whose pretensions are high is branded in Heaven as “vain.” The grace of God can bridle and control the tongue. Health and life may take the place of poison and death lurking in the ungoverned tongue. But in the Judgment of the great day, how will those meet their account, who have used the tongue in uttering harsh words, idle words, jesting, fault-finding, slander, back-biting, reproaches, blasphemies, &c.? And how will they meet the subjects of their abuse there? How will they meet those whom they have wounded to the very depths of the soul with misrepresentations, false reports, and shameful reproaches? How meet those who have been kept from receiving the truth, from joining hands with commandment-keepers, by an injudicious use of the busy tongue? “But I say unto you,” says Christ, “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. In answer to the questions in the 15th, psalm: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” the reply of inspiration contains the following instruction: “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Backbiting and reproach have brought anguish and agony, shame and disgrace, to many an innocent heart. In distress David cried unto the Lord: “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?” Ps. 120: 2, 3. There is a remedy for this evil disease, for this cancerous poison. 1. Let the fountain be cleansed, let the heart be purified; “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.” 2. Receive the instruction: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Col. 4: 6. “If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.” Prov. 30: 32. 3. Resolve: “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue.” Ps. 39: 1. “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” 4. Pray fervently unto Him in whom there is help: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Ps. 141: 3. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19: 14. 5. Let confession be made of past wrongs; lift off the mantle of sorrow and grief, which lies like the pall of death upon the wounded. “Undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free.” Honor God and his cause by great humility of heart, and contrition of spirit. Cultivate the spirit of love. “LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE.” And then join in the cheerful song:— “Oh for a thousand tongues, to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise!”