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T. E. BOWEN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1902

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 27.

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T. E. BOWEN

By T. E. Bowen

Words

T. E. BOWEN

How small and trifling they seem, yet what great power for good or evil they possess! There are pure words, helpful words, kind words, words of appreciation for the good acts and motives of those nigh at hand and those afar off, words begetting love and confidence for and in others, peaceful words. All these may truthfully be called words of life.
On the other hand are words of censure, backbiting words, lying words, deceitful words, foolish words, words of jealousy, jesting words, impure words, lofty words, swelling words of self-conceit, words engendering strife. All these may truthfully be called words of death.
As a man thinketh, so is he. As a man thinketh, so he speaketh; therefore, it is written, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt. 12:37.
Some people (and alas! some who profess to be followers of Christ) boast that they speak what they think; they are very “outspoken” in their make-up, and have a special gift in telling people to their face what they think of them. Usually these are not helpful words. They come from a blunt, discourteous, selfish heart, simply emitting the very venom of death. Such words emanate not from Him who pronounced a woe upon those causing offense to one of his little ones. Words of love may necessarily at times take the form of a rebuke, but it will be so administered as not to cause discouragement and unnecessary pain. When these sharp, unfeeling, unlovely words are uttered, they stir rebellion, they rankle in the breast, bringing alienation, strife, discord, and at the last enmity itself.
Such people are not followers of Jesus—at least in this particular. They are scattering from him. It is not likely that they will know until the judgment how much suffering they have caused. Here is a text which applies to the man who thinks he can talk as he pleases, to whom he pleases, and say what he pleases: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Ps. 12:2-4.
Some will dwell in God’s holy mountain. Whoever they are, here are some of the characteristics they will possess: “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, . . . nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” Such people are wanted on high. They will be safe to dwell beside to all eternity.
Words of commendation are not flattering words. Words of true appreciation do not tend to vainglory. There is a wide difference between smooth-tongued flattery and whole-souled words of appreciation. The former come from a selfish, scheming heart; the latter from a generous, unselfish, lovely character.
Let us thank God for the gift of speech. Let us make a wise use of this talent; for all must give account thereof to its Giver. A good prayer for every child of God, every one striving for the mastery, is one uttered by the psalmist: “Set a watch [an angel guardian], O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”