Speak Not Evil of Others.
By E. Hilliard
ONE of the most common sins among the professed followers of Christ is speaking ill of others. This habit, with some, has become so thoroughly established that it is indulged in, seemingly, without any compunctions of conscience. Many a soul is selling his interest in the eternal inheritance, just by a wrong use of his tongue. Is it not a little strange how one can praise God with his tongue and then with the same member speak evil of his brother, made in the similitude of God, and at the same time claim that he is interested in the plan God has ordained to save men? Speaking ill of others is a most potent means of destroying our influence and power to help them, and a most effectual way to disparage all their efforts to overcome. It is no trivial sin. James says, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." Instead of obeying the law, which teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves, we violate the principle it teaches and set its precepts at naught. There is but one Lawgiver, and he is the only one who is capable of correctly judging the hearts of men, and, also, the only one who is capable of executing the final sentence of a righteous judgment. There are some, after they have finished their evil story of another, who feel somewhat conscience smitten, and will try to find some apology, or excuse, for their sinful work. Paul declares there is no excuse for such. "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." It is almost invariably the case that those who sit as critics on the conduct and character of others are often found practicing the same sins. Such, with their own tongues, are uttering their own condemnation. They may not see it now, but when the records of Heaven unfold to their view the well-kept pages, they will stand speechless. The very faults that they were so eager to point out in others, and that they so heartily condemned, will be seen to have been indulged in by themselves. Too late the words of the Saviour will be most forcibly realized, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." The psalmist inquires, "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" These are among the most important questions ever propounded to man. Without the inspired answer it would be impossible for the finite mind to tell those features of character requisite to a dwelling-place with the great God of Heaven. Let us hear the response from the inspired penman. "He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor." How many of the professed followers of Christ are feasting on the imperfections of others! How Satan exults to see the tares sown among the wheat! He knows that one of his agents, dressed in religious robes, can do more in scattering the seeds of dissension than ten who are openly avowed for his cause. Dear reader, are you in the habit of speaking of your neighbors' faults? Do you carelessly join in the conversation that condemns your unfortunate brother? Remember Christ died for him as well as for you, and you have sinned as well as he. "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" We have seen many Bible mottoes framed and hung upon the wall, and we think none more appropriate than the one found in James 4:11. "Speak not evil one of another." It is needed in every household as a warning, if not as a reproof.