Influence of Words
35
words find a response in the unsanctified hearts of youth who have
never submitted to caution or restraint. The influence of a thoughtless
word may affect a soul’s eternal destiny. Every person is exerting an
influence upon the lives of others.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:654
.
Words Fitly Spoken—The world is indeed full of hurry, and of
pride, selfishness, avarice, and violence; and it may seem to us that it is
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a waste of time and breath to be ever in season and out of season, and
on all occasions to hold ourselves in readiness to speak words that are
gentle, pure, elevating, chaste, and holy, in the face of the whirlwind
of confusion, bustle, and strife. And yet words fitly spoken, coming
from sanctified hearts and lips, and sustained by a godly, consistent
Christian deportment, will be as apples of gold in pictures of silver....
You are not to wait for great occasions, or to expect extraordinary
abilities, before you work in earnest for God. You need not have a
thought of what the world will think of you. If your intercourse with
them and your godly conversation are a living testimony to them of
the purity and sincerity of your faith, and they are convinced that you
desire to benefit them, your words will not be wholly lost upon them,
but will be productive of good.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:247
.
Behavior Consistent With Words—If we desire to reform others
we must ourselves practice the principles which we would enforce
upon them. Words, however good, will be powerless if contradicted
by the daily life. Ministers of Christ, I admonish you: “Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine.” Do not excuse sins in yourselves which
you reprove in others. If you preach on meekness and love, let these
graces be exemplified in your own life. If you urge others to be kind,
courteous, and attentive at home, let your own example give force to
your admonitions.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:160
.
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Denial of Christ by Evil Speaking—He who would confess
Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate
that which he has not received. The disciples might speak fluently on
doctrines, they might repeat the words of Christ Himself; but unless
they possessed Christlike meekness and love, they were not confessing
Him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, what-
ever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish
talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind.—
The Desire of Ages,
357
.