Jesting is not Convenient.
By Editor
WHENEVER you see a professor of religion given to levity, foolish talking or jesting, rest assured that that professor's religion is superficial, that he greatly needs a deeper work of grace. Holy, sanctified, uniformly consistent Christians are always cheerful, but never indulge in vanity or light-mindedness. Jesting grieves the Holy Spirit, hinders prayer, and gives the lie to our profession. Levity, foolish talking or jesting is a sin—God forbids it as positively as he forbids swearing, stealing, or lying. See Eph. v, 4. Who would think that Jesus said, "That for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment," if he were left to learn it from the conversation of his professed followers? He also says, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his195conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God." "Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness and wisdom." "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."—Golden Rule.