The Tongue by MARION E. BOURDEAU

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1863

The Tongue.

By MARION E. BOURDEAU

"DEATH and life are in the power of the tongue." Prov. xviii, 21.

From these words we see the importance of ordering our tongues aright. If we speak aright we shall live, but if we speak wrong we shall die. The tongue was made to glorify God. We glorify God with our tongues when we praise him for his goodness, and speak in favor of his truth, and when we speak the truth in regard to ourselves and in regard to others. We should ever tell the truth; for the lip of truth shall be established forever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. xii, 19.

Our words should be words of pleasantness. How agreeable it is to be in the society of those who talk pleasantly. But how unpleasant it is to be with those who speak angry words. Says Solomon, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword! but the tongue of the wise is health." "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. xii, 18; xv, 1.

We should not speak idle words. Says Christ, "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. xii, 36, 37. If those who indulge in idle conversation realized that for every idle word they speak they shall have to give an account, they would be more careful to not sin with their tongues.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us pray the Lord to give us wisdom and overcoming grace, that we may use our tongues aright, and that our words may be few and well chosen.

MARION E. BOURDEAU.

West Enosburgh, Vt.