Page 290 - Lift Him Up (1988)

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Words are an Index, September 27
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.
Matthew 12:35
.
Your words are an index of your character.... Here we see the importance of
carefulness in the employment of speech. This talent is a great power for good when
it is used aright....
It is the privilege of all to fill the chambers of the soul with pure and holy
treasures by making themselves thoroughly familiar with the precious words of
Christ, spoken for our instruction....
By heeding the reproof and encouragement given in God’s Word, we may
“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his
glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Those who are
thus strengthened will not walk with head bowed down....
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of
the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Then shall we not all,
old and young, learn to converse in the language that is spoken by those who are
translated into God’s kingdom? Shall not our words be such as will be heard with
pleasure by our heavenly Father?
As those who claim to be Christians, we are under solemn obligations to reveal
the truth of our profession by our words. The tongue is a little member; but what
an amount of good it can do if the heart is pure! If the heart is stored with good
things, if it is stored with Christlike tenderness, sympathy, and politeness, this will
be shown by the words spoken and the actions performed. The light shining from
the Word of God is our guide. Nothing so weakens a church as a wrong use of the
talent of speech....
The quality of our works is shown by our words. When our words and works
harmonize in Christ, we show that we are consecrated to God, perfecting holiness
in His fear. As we give ourselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him, He works in us,
both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
The love of Christ in the heart is revealed by the expression of praise. Those
who are consecrated to God will show this by their sanctified conversation. If their
hearts are pure, their words will be pure, showing an elevated principle working in a
sanctified direction. The mind will be absorbed in holy contemplation, and there
will be a sense of the presence of God (
The Review and Herald, January 18, 1898
).
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