LIP SINS, OR CHRISTIAN CANNIBALISM.
By M. C. Israel
1. How does the apostle Paul express the cannibalistic propensities of some professing Christians? “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Gal. 5:15. 2. What is the principal instrument of their warfare, and what makes it effective? “The tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.” James 3:8, R.V. 3. What does the Lord say about the warfare of this class of people? “They bend their tongue as it were their bow for falsehood; . . . for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not Me, saith the Lord. . . . Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit; one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.” Jer. 9:3–8, R.V. 4. How did the prophet feel to have his brethren engage in this kind of work? “O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! O that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them!” Verses 1, 2. 5. If this evil is not repented of and put away, what will be the result? “Therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of My people? . . . Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord; shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” Verses 7–9. 6. Where does all the poison come from that supplies their deadly weapon? “The things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; . . . for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, false witness, railings.” Matt. 15:18, 19, R.V. 7. To what different uses do persons often put the same tongue? “Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the likeness of God; out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:9, 10, R.V. 8. What illustration does James draw from nature, to show that poisoned words do not come from a converted heart? “Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? can a fig-tree, my brethren, yield olives?” Verses 11–16, R.V. “So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” Verse 12. 9. In relation to this subject, what does God say He hates?4 “A lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, . . . and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Prov. 6:16–19. 10. What has He strictly forbidden in both the Old and the New Testaments? “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.” Let “evil-speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Lev. 19:16; Eph. 4:31. 11. What does God say through David to persons who are guilty of this sort of cannibalism? “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.” “Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. . . . Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Ps. 14:4; 50:19–22. 12. Who do the Scriptures say give heed to wicked lips, and give ear to a mischievous tongue? “A wicked-doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Prov. 17:4. 13. Then, is not a person who gives ear to an evil report, and reports it, about as much of a cannibal as the one who starts it? “Thou shalt not take up a false report.” “I will not justify the wicked.” Ex. 23:1, 7, R.V. 14. Who does the Lord say shall abide in His tabernacle (remain members of the true church)? “He that slandereth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his friend, nor receiveth or endureth a reproach against his neighbor.” Ps. 15:3. 15. What is the cure for all who have the propensity “to bite and devour one another”? “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. . . . And cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” Ps. 51:10; Eze. 36:26, 27. 16. A people must be developed before the coming of the Lord, among whom there will not be a deceitful tongue, or a mouth speaking guile. “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Zeph. 3:13. “And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. 14:5. 17. What should be the prayer of all who would be of that company? “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men that work iniquity.” “O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.” Ps. 141:3, 4; 51:15, R.V. 18. Rules in regard to evil reports about others:— (a) To hear as little as possible what is said to the prejudice of others. (b) To believe nothing of the kind, till I am absolutely forced to do it. (c) Never to drink in the spirit of the one who circulates the report. (d) Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness expressed toward others. (e) Always to believe that, if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter. M. C. Israel.