The Tongue by Vita Morrow

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 10, 1872

The Tongue.

By Vita Morrow

The tongue is in itself a little “world of iniquity.” Beasts and birds, serpents and things in the sea, says James, have been tamed of mankind; “but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

There are some wild beasts that cannot be sufficiently tamed to be allowed to run at large, though any beast, however ferocious it may be, can be put into a cage, and thus prevented from doing harm to those around. Even so the tongue, though it cannot be absolutely tamed by mankind, may be kept in check, so that its deadly influence will not be felt. If not watched, and kept in restraint, the tongue can speak words that have a very poisonous influence, and words that may do untold harm; and inasmuch as the tongue has the power to do so much evil, it is highly essential that the owners of those unruly members should see to it that they are properly governed; for it is far better that the tongue remain silent forever, than that it should speak words calculated to do no one good, but have rather a tendency to do harm than otherwise. “He that hath knowledge spareth his words.” Words that are beneficial to no one cannot be used too sparingly; idle, jesting words, and angry and contentious words, cannot be too few; better none at all. It is better that the tongue should rest in its cage; for “even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise.”

But there are ways in which the tongue may be used so as to do much good. It is very important that we use our tongues aright. Let us strive to have all our words of such a character that they may redound to the glory of God and our own salvation. We must learn to bridle our tongues, so as not to offend in word, in order to be saved.

“He that offendeth not in word is a perfect man.” If then, we can so control our tongues as not to offend in word, we may be perfect. This, in our own strength, we can never do, but in the strength of the Lord, we can overcome all things.

VITA MORROW.