GUARD THE TONGUE by Mrs. A. W. Heald

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 18, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 32.

GUARD THE TONGUE.

By Mrs. A. W. Heald

Among the good gifts with which our heavenly Father has endowed man above the brute creation, perhaps there is not one more potent than the faculty of speech. God intends this power to be exerted for his praise and glory and for the salvation of men, and yet the small organ of human speech may be so perverted as to become an instrument of the greatest harm. The apostle says, "So is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, . . . and it is set on fire of hell." James 3:6.

What a fearful disclosure is here presented! Satan can render the tongue "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." How artfully he deceives, and how often he has prevailed over us! Satan would not have us suppose that he is the instigator of the false tongue. He would suggest to us that we have by nature an impetuous temper, which is easily provoked and beyond control, and that we are not responsible for words spoken in anger.

He persuades us that our trials are peculiar, that we are naturally nervous and irritable, and cannot help the impatient word whereby we may "offend" Christ's "little ones," and endanger our own souls.

Thus harshness is often indulged in the bosom of the family, provoking to anger and hatred those who should be joined by holiest bonds of love. Even the thoughtless word has produced unkind judgments and lifelong estrangements, while lying lips and the swearing tongue continue to incite the just wrath of a holy God.

And yet one who would perfect a Christian character must obtain command of the tongue; without this, all efforts toward holiness will be fruitless. Hear the words of James: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Chap. 1: 26. "And the Saviour said: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an 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.

In the required task of bridling the tongue let us remember, although no man can do this work unaided, "with God all things are possible." Through him we may overcome evil with good. If we are earnestly seeking to serve God with undivided purpose, he will teach us to "cease from anger, and forsake wrath," and to "fret not . . . in any wise to do evil." "By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15.

Mrs. A. W. Heald.