HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ephesians 5:4
How many are the sins of the tongue? How many, and how deadly! From anger, from slander, from folly, from untruthfulness, from untender judgments, from impure and defiling speech — good Lord, deliver me!
There is, Paul says, a foolish talking which is not fitting. My conversation may be insipid, vain, unprofitable, trivial and idle. It may do no good to anyone. It may kindle no consoling, strengthening, or inspiring thought. It is not seasoned with the salt of grace. It has not the earnestness and the spiritual quality which befit the Christian.
There is, Paul says again, a filthy language which should never proceed from a disciple’s mouth. It is suggestive of what is evil and unholy. It paints sin in mirthful and brilliant and enticing colours — so that its real ugliness is not recognized. All such speech, I must abhor. I must not listen to it in others, nor tolerate it in myself.
There is, Paul says once more, a coarse joking which is not befitting in the believer. In whatever pleasantry and humour I may allow myself, I must always be refined, noble-hearted, and tender. There is teasing, wit, banter, a sarcasm, which is neither noble-minded nor kind. It is enlisted in the service of sin, and not in that of Christ.
My Lord, help me today to set a watch over my lips, that I do not offend against You with my tongue. My purest speech will need much purifying before it can join in the praises of Your temple on high. For that worship, I would tune my voice now, by the tones of prayer, by wholesome speech, by the accents of love.
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” Proverbs 15:4
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