12
The Voice in Speech and Song
carefulness in the employment of speech. This talent is a great power
for good when it is used aright, but it is just as great a power for evil
when the words spoken are poisonous. If this talent is abused, out of
the heart proceed evil things. The words are either a savor of life unto
life or of death unto death....
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 obliga-
tions 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. We dishonor our Leader when our words are not
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such as should come from the lips of a Christian.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is
God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure”
[
Philippians 2:12, 13
]. 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
.
Means of Declaring God’s Love—Speech is a talent. Of all the
gifts bestowed on the human family, none should be more appreciated
than the gift of speech. It is to be used to declare God’s wisdom and
wondrous love. Thus the treasures of His grace and wisdom are to be
communicated.—
Counsels on Stewardship, 115
.