The Sabbath Hour

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Sabbath Hour

What Of Our Tongues?

(Sermon preached by Mr Ernest Way)

Reading: James 3

Colossians 4.G: “Let ymir speech he always with grace, seasoned with salt.”

'A thing we do every day is to speak. Sometimes we speak thoughtfully, sometimes carelessly. How often we abuse this great gift that is ours! How we let our tongues speak, unbridled, anything and everything that happens to come into our minds. And yet Christ: said that “Man shall give account of every idle word that he shall-speak.” Definitely we do not place enough value upon this capacity that is given to us. There is a tremendous need for us to yield to God s moulding hands in the framing of our

speech. How often do we speak when we should be silent, and remain silent when we should speak?

“Sound speech cannot be condemned” was part of the wisdom handed on by Paul to Titus. Let us then practise such speaking-.words about things that are of some use; words that will tend to uplift and not to ■hinder. “Foolish talking and jesting we are exhorted to have nothing to do with.

How necessary that we pray in words somewhat like the Psalmist when he prays: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” As a man would guard against disease entering his body, so it is more than equally necessary that he have a guard on his mouth, that disease, in the form of evil and uncontrolled speech, is not ah owed to contaminate himself and others.

Our tongues, as James is inspired to point out, are only "little members,” but they take “some” controlling.

How much harm is done through a hasty word spoken either in a temper or carelessly! How much good is done by a word of wise and loving sympathy! You can probably remember something that somebody said carelessly to you at some time, and that hurt. Do not blame him. Pity him and let it be a lesson to you. You can also remember helpful words. We do not grow perfect in a day; but we need to forge ahead, taking heed of all the advice that God’s Word gives us and looking to Him for the necessary grace “that our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.”

What kind of speech then, is this that we are to use? “With grace seasoned' with salt?”

“With grace.” What does grace mean in this-connection? Does it not mean that the speech shall have such qualities as to be able to please, attract and charm? A manrier of speech to be commended:, that which would give no cause for offence to the most fastidious. Even in difficult situations “speaking the truth in love.” “Let your speech be always with grace.” How great is the need for a graciousness in our manner of conversation! How easy it is to forget this need! How easy it is to fall below a reasonably

decent standard! Bu! wc are Christians and it behoves you and me to keep the goal of proper speaking ever before us. "Seasoned with salt.” What a hcllr.«Mitss and lack ,of tastiness, and in seme respects wholesomeness, much of that which we eat would have if not seasoned with salt. Think of porridge without salt, and think of it with it. There is a wide difference. So speech to be worthwhile must be as “seasoned with salt”—wholesome, pure, without malice, without scandal, with love, sympathy, genuineness, all the time under control —the control of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spoke words of the utmost worth. “Never man spake like this Man.” “He spake as one having authority.”

How many discouraged folk were given fresh courage by Him! How many despised folk wore given a fresh vision of life, and, because of the way they were spoken to, encouraged to aim higher and to live nobler lives. How did He speak to the woman taken in adultery; to Zacchaeus the publican; to the disciples on the night He was betrayed, to the repentant dying thief? His words were “always with grace, seasoned with salt,” “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.” “God sent not His Son into the world tr, condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” And

SAFETY SONNETS

what about the “Beatitudes?” Once again our Lord is our Example. Wherein do we fail? Do we easily become impatient? Do we speak frivolously? Do we take God’s name in vain? Do we swear? Do we lie? Do we gossip? Do we scandalise? Is our manner of speech gruff and ungracious?

As we pray to God to help to keep a watch on our tongues, let us practise keeping a watch on our own tongues that our “speech be alvyays with grace seasoned with salt.”