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The Gift of Speech, July 7
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:2
.
The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of
all the gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater
blessing than this. With the voice we convince and persuade; with it we offer
praise and prayer to God; and with it we tell others of the Redeemer’s love.
Not one word is to be spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking, no frivolous
talk, no fretful repining or impure suggestions, will escape the lips of him
who is following Christ.
The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says, “Let no corrupt com-
munication proceed out of your mouth” (
Ephesians 4:29
). A corrupt com-
munication does not mean only words that are vile. It means any expression
contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled religion. It includes impure
hints and covert suggestions of evil. Unless instantly resisted, these lead to
great sin.
Upon every family, upon every individual Christian, is laid the duty of
barring the way against corrupt speech. When [we are] in the company of
those who indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty to change the subject of
conversation if possible. By the help of the grace of God, we should try
to drop words or introduce a subject that will turn the conversation into a
profitable channel.
Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving. If the mind and
heart are full of the love of God, this will be revealed in the conversation.
It will not be a difficult matter to impart that which enters into our spiritual
life. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish
purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will bear fruit in words that reveal
the character of the heart treasure. When Christ is thus revealed in our speech,
it will have a power in winning souls to Him.
We should speak of Christ to those who know Him not. We should do
as Christ did. Wherever He was, in the synagogue, by the wayside, in the
boat thrust out a little from the land, at the Pharisee’s feast or the table of the
publican, He spoke to men of the things pertaining to the higher life.—
The
Signs of the Times, July 2, 1902
.
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