p. 165 | IDLE CONVERSATION by I. D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 22, 1861

IDLE CONVERSATION.

By I. D. Van Horn

THIS is a subject of vast importance to all that are living in these last days; especially to all those that are trying to follow in the footsteps of the meek and lowly Jesus. Evils of every description imaginable are everywhere to be seen throughout the land; and among the most prominent of these, perhaps, is idle conversation. We see it in all conditions of the human family—from those that live in the lowest depths of degradation and poverty, to those that revel in the highest rank of riches and honor. We see it not only in the worldling, but also in the professor of religion. Even those who are trying to exalt the standard of piety by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are more or less affected with its degrading influence. It has entered the hearts of the children of men by intuition from the Evil One, and like the viper, saps away the life of pure and undefiled religion. By its influence men have almost entirely lost confidence in one another; so that it has become a common thing for them to break their word, and pass it idly by, as though it were of no value.

When we behold the sad effects of this evil upon the inhabitants of the earth, and see the instrument that Satan is using to draw them down to ruin, is it not high time to inquire into this important question? Let us look at it in the light of our Saviour's language upon this subject. Matt. xii, 36, 37. "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." What language can be more to the point than this? Can we pass it by unheeded, and join ourselves with the world, and then say we are safe? The apostle James says [chap. iv, 4], "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." O, how dreadful to be the enemy of God! "Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb. x, 30, 31.

Foolish talking and jesting is so universal at the present day, that it requires every effort on the part of the christian to avoid its influence. Says Paul, "Let neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, be once named among you as becometh saints; for they are not convenient." Eph. v, 3, 4. But on the contrary, "our conversation should be in heaven, from whence also we look for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil. iii, 20. It should be holy, "but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Pet. i, 15. "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James iii, 2. "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.

May God help us to heed the counsel of his word on every point, that we may be found without spot when Jesus comes.

I. D. VAN HORN.