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IDLE WORDS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 26, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 14.

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IDLE WORDS.

By W. P. Crandall

“But 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.
How important it is that we watch our lips, that we let no words escape that will condemn us in the day of Judgment, which is near at hand.
The apostle exhorts us to avoid foolish talking and jesting, and if we would grow in grace we must heed this admonition. We need to be constantly on our guard, lest the enemy get the advantage of us in this respect. Satan is constantly trying by every means in his power to lead God’s people astray, and this is one of the most successful ways, especially with the young. Have we any time now to waste in jesting and foolish talking? I think not. We shall need all the time that is left us to prepare to meet Christ in peace. Then let us awake to the importance of living wholly for God, of denying ungodliness and worldly lust, and living righteous and godly lives.
Do we realize that all our words are recorded, and that we must meet them again? This is a solemn thought, and it should lead us to watch continually, lest we be overcome by the enemy of all righteousness. What an influence goes out from us who profess to be followers of Christ, if we engage in frivolous conversation! “Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.” We who profess to be followers of Christ are watched by the world to see if religion makes us better men and women, and shall we take a course that will cast a reproach upon the cause of God? How often do we hear those who profess to have forsaken the world with its follies engaging in light conversation, even using the “slang phrases” which are so common at the present time. We are commanded to do everything, whether in word or in deed, in the name of Jesus, and can we use these useless words in the name of Him who died for our sins? I say in the words of the apostle, “These things ought not so to be.”
Let us, dear reader, examine ourselves, to see if we are not guilty before God; and if we are, let us seek his forgiveness, and resolve, in the name of Christ, to overcome this habit. W. P. CRANDALL.