"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James iii, 8. If man cannot tame the tongue, the Lord can, for the tongue, with all the other members of the body, must be tamed and be yielded instruments of righteousness and holiness, to serve the living God. Rom. vi, 13, 19.
It is evident from the amount there is said in the word of the Lord, about our words, and the use of our tongues, that it is no small attainment in the Christian to have gained, by prayer and discipline, the victory over the tongue, and to always speak discreetly, having every word seasoned with salt, communicating something of consequence to the hearer. If we are in any way given to idle words, or useless conversation, let us seek to God for help and strength to mortify and crucify the unruly member. Much importance is attached, by the prophets and apostles, to a right use of the tongue.
Solomon hath said; "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Jesus hath said; "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." The apostle James hath said: "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
As the Bible is a perfect guide and director in all matters of faith and duty, we will quote a few passages which show the exercises and thoughts of the hearts of holy men of old, touching the use of the tongue.
"An ungodly man diggeth up evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire; and a whisperer separateth chief friends." Prov. xvi, 27, 28.
"The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell." James iii, 6.
"The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things." Ps. xii, 3.
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people." Lev. xix, 16. "A talebearer revealeth secrets." Prov. xi, 13.
"What shall be given unto thee or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?"
David prayed, "deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and a deceitful tongue." Ps. cxx, 2, 3.
How liable we are to be deceived by a false tongue, in suffering ourselves to speak things which we know not, judging a matter before we hear it, making up our minds prematurely, and speaking accordingly, not knowing whereof we affirm.
My brethren, in so doing we walk contrary to God's word, grieve his Holy Spirit, wound our own souls and bring ourselves under darkness, and often wound some of the members of Christ's body. [The church.] O let us have the mind of David, who said, "I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue." Ps. xxxix, 1. O let us pray as did David, "set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
God hateth six things; yea seven * and the seventh is, he that soweth discord among brethren.—"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Prov. x, 19. I am sure if we give heed to the word of the Lord we shall find enough to put us on our watch over the tongue. May the Lord apply, by his Spirit, as many of the above texts of scripture to our hearts, individually, as will be necessary to sanctify our tongue.
I have learned from some years of experience, and particular observation, that the cause of most of the trials among my dearly beloved brethren (who are now in the patient, waiting time receiving the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus) have been, and can be, traced back to some imprudent remark, or word dropped inadvertently, when at the time no evil was intended, or harm imagined, by the brother or sister so caught in the snare of the wicked one, by speaking out in words, the suggestions of the enemy, or thoughts of the heart.
My brethren, let us be wise and consider well before we speak, whether we shall edify him that heareth, and glorify God in what we shall say; for it is written: "Whatsoever ye do in word, or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Col. iii, 17.
When James said: "If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain," he does not mean that we should not speak or converse on all proper occasions, when we can speak to the comfort, or edification of each other in the Spirit and name of Christ, with an eye single to the glory of God. "He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life," Prov. xiii, 3. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles." Prov. xxi, 23. May God help us to feel the force of these truths.
"For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips, that they speak no guile." 1 Pet. iii, 10. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Prov. xxv, 11. My object is, to turn your attention to the study of these scriptures, with many others of a similar character, which are needful for us that we may have our tongues sanctified to God.