Keeping the Tongue by C. L. Palmer

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Feb 21, 1865

Keeping the Tongue.

By C. L. Palmer

PSALM XXXIX, 1. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."

The apostle tells us the tongue is an "an unruly member, and setteth on fire the course of nature;" and where is the man or woman but can attest to the truth of the apostle's words. How often we hear an unkind word spoken by one person to another, and like a spark of fire thrown among grains of powder we see an angry flash, perhaps a bitter retort, and we are immediately aware that a wrong has been done, a sin committed, with the tongue.

If we see these things among the world we should not be surprised, but if we see them in those who claim to be the children of God, we can but feel pained and are led to inquire if such is the practical working of the spirit of truth. David thought not, when he recorded the words found above; but he also saw a further duty which many of us, and far too many of us overlook or forget; and that is, to bridle our mouths before the wicked. I fear we often displease God, and grieve the holy angels by forgetting this. We shall be apt, unless always upon our guard, to give the assent by a laugh or word to some saying which at first would seem of no importance, yet one which, upon reflection, is found to contain some impious and unholy allusion or tendency; and we find we have been aiders and abettors, simply because we have not bridled our mouth. We become partakers with them in evil sayings by laughing at their jests, and more so by adding our own light foolish words to theirs, when silence should be our part; for it does not become us to reprove or advise at such times: it would be like casting pearls before swine, and we should only have our good evil spoken of. There is a proper time, and place, to speak to others, and that time and place is never found in forcing our views upon a light trifling company of worldlings in their boisterous and jesting moods, and we are in as much need of the bridle then to check any such movement, as we are when inclined to participate with them in their follies.

I think much harm is done by the unthinking in forgetting their duty in this respect. I think the safe rule, if we find ourselves among such company, is to quietly withdraw from it if possible, if not, to be silent and wait till the conversation changes to other subjects.

Again I believe it is not our province to force our views upon others in company unless the conversation can be first led in the direction of religious subjects, such as the duty of man or the signs of the times, the history of this world, and only then after others have given their opinions.

Then it may be well to inquire of them a reason for their views, and to gradually lead them to the Bible and its teachings, always exercising great care and moderation lest we by our rashness repel those whom we seek to attract.

Men are more often led to endorse a correct view by leading them to make comparisons and draw deductions for themselves than by any attempt we may make to force them to see the point by our direct proof. But when they are brought to a position to endorse a point, then is a proper time to bring in positive proofs which will confirm them and make a lasting impression and leave them in a condition to investigate and receive more light. Much might be said on this subject with profit. I should like to hear from those of wisdom and experience. C. L. PALMER. Sturgis, Mich.