IDLE WORDS by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 2, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 14.

IDLE WORDS.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

God’s word is constructive; it creates. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spake, and it was.” Ps. 33:6, 9. Here, again, we see that right language is not the mere naming of things, but the utterance—the bringing forth—of that which is within. A real word is a thing, as indicated by the Hebrew, which has but one term for both words. The real word has substance, for Christ upholds all things “by the word of His power.” Heb. 1:3. The word of God works in all who receive it (1 Thess. 2:13), and it works to build up. Acts 20:32.

This, taken with the truth that God has given us His word (for “the word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart”), makes plain to us the justice of this statement: “I say unto you, 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.

The word “idle” in this passage is the same as that in Matt. 20:6, addressed to the laborers standing in the market-place, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” They were not doing anything. So for every word that we speak, which does not do something, we shall be called to account in the Judgment.

The Word of God is the capital that is entrusted to us. If allowed free course it will accomplish much; but if we pervert it,—if we hinder it in its appointed mission, or use it to express our own empty ideas,—we are justly chargeable with misappropriating funds.

Can we not from this brief study see what a responsibility rests upon us in being able to talk? What a terrible thing to abuse the precious gift! Our part is to “study to be quiet,” for that is an art, and to speak only as the Spirit within gives utterance. “Turn you at My reproof,” says the Lord; “behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.” Prov. 1:23. Thus only can we be true witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8); for “He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure.” John 3:34.

E. J. WAGGONER.