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Educating the Tongue, June 17
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
.
The apostle, seeing the inclination to abuse the gift of speech, gives
direction concerning its use. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out
of your mouth,” he says, “but that which is good to the use of edifying.”
The word “corrupt” means here any word that would make an impression
detrimental to holy principles and undefiled religion, any communication
that would eclipse the view of Christ, and blot from the mind true sym-
pathy and love. It includes impure hints, which, unless instantly resisted,
lead to great sin. Upon everyone is laid the duty of barring the way against
corrupt communications.
It is God’s purpose that the glory of Christ shall appear in His children.
In all His teaching Christ presented pure, unadulterated principles. He
did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Constantly there flowed
from His lips holy, ennobling truths. He spoke as never man spoke, with
a pathos that touched the heart.... The truth never languished on His lips.
With fearlessness He exposed the hypocrisy of priest and ruler, Pharisee
and Sadducee....
The great responsibility bound up in the use of the gift of speech is
plainly made known in the Word of God. “By thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (
Matthew 12:37
),
Christ declared. And the psalmist asks, “Lord, who shall abide in thy
tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly,
and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that
backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh
up a reproach against his neighbour” (
Psalm 15:1-3
).
Cultivate a prayerful frame of mind and educate the tongue to speak
right words, that will bless in the place of discouraging.... Talk of the
goodness, the mercy, and the love of God. Put away all unbelieving words
and all that is cheap and common. Let the words be sound words, that
cannot be condemned, and the peace of God will surely come to the soul.
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