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WHO WILL BE DUMB THEN?

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, April 28, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 17

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WHO WILL BE DUMB THEN?

By R. A. Underwood

BY ELD. R. A. UNDERWOOD.
The Lord has used many illustrations to show the power of the tongue for good or evil. The apostle James (3d chapter) compares its use and importance to the bits which turn about the body of the horse, and to the helm of a ship, which, though a little instrument, yet at the will of the pilot turns the course of that proud, lofty vessel into the pathway of safety or ruin. Even so, the tongue is a little member, but its power for good or evil can never be fully realized till it is revealed in the world to come. The result of its work will all come into Judgment (Matt. 12:36, 37; James 2:12), and we shall stand condemned or justified according to the proper use or the abuse of this God-given power for good or evil.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Prov. 25:11. The word thus spoken is not lost when the sound has died away upon the air. By the power of speech you can make others feel what you are feeling, and transmit to their minds the thoughts which you are thinking; and thus thoughts and feelings are re-echoed by thousands that have been affected by them. No wonder that for “every idle word” God will call us to a strict account in the day of Judgment.
Satan realizes the importance attached to our words. Therefore the man of God has the severest contest in gaining the victory in this respect of all others. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2. Again the Lord says: “To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” Ps. 50:23. In these last days, Satan does not lack for ways or means to deceive souls. If he cannot cause men to reject the Bible as a whole, or in part,—if he fail to lead men to trample recklessly upon God’s law,—then his next deception is to lead them to become the “accusers of the brethren,” to harbor hatred, variances, emulation, wrath, strife, and envyings, in their hearts, till the saving power of the truth is lost to them.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and . . . who can know it?” Jer. 17:9. It is only when we view the heart in the light of God’s word that we can see that out of it “proceed evil thoughts,” and that these thoughts have been given utterance in words against our brethren. Perchance some of the “little ones” have been “offended” by idle words,—words of fault-finding, words which have lessened their confidence in their brethren, words of self-praise and exaltation,—words which, if unrepented of, will shut us out of the kingdom of glory in the day of God.
The Bible plainly declares that we should “speak evil of no man.” Titus 3:2. That means that we should not talk about the bad traits and habits of our fellow-beings to their injury. If another has faults, there is a place and time to talk them over; i. e., with him alone, “in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1. There is a cross in this way of talking about others’ faults. If you do not believe it, try the experiment. If you do it in the spirit of Christ, with him to help, you will find that the fruits will be joy, peace, and love—such as will save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. The pleasing way to the carnal mind is to talk about the faults of others to every person, in every place; but the right way and place God has pointed out. There is no cross in remarking to this person, or that one, in a private or public manner, about the faults of others, whether they are real or imaginary. Who ever heard of a person about to meet with others in any social manner, seeking the Lord in prayer for grace, meekness, and wisdom, that they might be second to none in devouring the reputation of an absent brother or neighbor? No, my brethren; that spirit does not come from heaven. It is Satanic; and these that Satan can lead to do such work are faithfully doing his bidding.
David asks and also answers a solemn question: “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 neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” Ps. 15:1-3. What is it to backbite? “To slander, reproach, or speak evil of in the sense of the person traduced.”—Webster.
Heaven cannot contain those who are guilty of such work. “A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations . . . and he that soweth discord among brethren” are hateful to God. Prov. 6:16-19. In these closing hours of mercy, Satan says to his angels concerning the last church: “We will cause distraction and division. We must divert their anxiety for their own souls, and lead them to criticise, to judge, and to accuse and condemn one another, and to cherish selfishness and envy. For these sins God banished us from his presence, and all who follow our example will meet a similar fate.”—“Great Controversy,” Vol. IV., page 508. The Lord has faithfully warned us of the results of these “wicked imaginations of the heart,” which lead to strife and vain glory. We should each esteem other better than ourselves. Phil. 2:3.
The apostle, in this same epistle, gives the antidote for all evil surmising and evil speaking. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8. It is enough to think about that is high as heaven, broad as the universe, deep as truth, and endures as the eternal world. If these are the things we cherish, our words will be seasoned with grace.
The Judge stands at the door. The invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb is being extended. The guests are being examined. Have we the wedding garment on? or have we allowed the enemy to divert our minds from the prize, and his fiery darts to wound us in the battle? If so, let us take the healing balm the great Physician offers, and rise in the name of the God of Israel. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:11, 12, Rev. Ver. “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee [now, in this time of peace, the rulers of this world favor us], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” Jer. 12:5. Soon the nations of this world will be in commotion, all arrayed against the people of God. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:13, Rev. Ver. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Matt. 22:11, 12.