Would you like to know what it takes to be a perfect man? The Bible gives the answer in James 3:2–13. Verse 2 says, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” The Living Bible says that “if anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.”
Jesus tells us in Matthew 15:10, 11, “Hear and understand: not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” This is speaking about eating with unwashed hands—part of the ceremonial law, the tradition of the elders (see Matthew 15:1, 2). Jesus goes on to tell us what the reason is: “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:18, 19.
This is what Zephaniah has to say about this in Zephaniah 3:13: “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Why not? Because their hearts are pure, their minds are unpolluted, their thoughts are untainted by sin.
An Indication of What is in the Heart
We read in Revelation 14:5, speaking about the 144,000, “And in their mouth was found no guile (deceit): for they are without fault before the throne of God.” What does that mean? It means what it says! What does guile include? “Guile includes impurity in all its forms. An impure thought tolerated, an unholy desire cherished, and the soul is contaminated, its integrity compromised.” Signs of the Times, February 8, 1883. Why is there no guile found in their mouth? Because there is no guile in their thoughts, they have no unholy desires, there is no guile in their hearts—their hearts are pure, undefiled, and holy.
The Bible says “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34), our words are only an index of what is in our heart. “He (Jesus) did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth because there was no guile in His heart. The sentiments cherished in the soul will find their way to the lips. Again I say, Your only safety is looking constantly to Jesus.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 78. From the conversation of a person or the words which come out of his mouth, we can tell what type of a person we are dealing with and what kind of a character that individual has. “Our words are an indication of what is in the heart.” Signs of the Times, May 2, 1894.
“Why are the young generally so backward to talk of a Savior’s love? They can readily talk of dress, and appearance, and of things that are of but little consequence. ‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ Those who profess to love God, should delight to talk of Him they love. And if His love is in the heart, the mouth will speak it out. His praise will be in your hearts and on your lips. Your song will be ‘Hear, what the Lord has done for me.’ Your hearts can beat with ardent affection and love for Jesus, who first loved you.” The Youth’s Instructor, February 1, 1856.
We can add to dress and appearance—cars, boats, airplanes, houses, other people, business, sports, investments, etc. Are people guilty of dwelling more upon these themes than on Christ’s love today? How about the words we speak on the Sabbath?
Jesus says to us in Matthew 12:36, 37: “But I say unto you, That every idle (useless, worthless) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
“The Lord is greatly dishonored when cheap, frivolous words fall from the lips of those whose names are registered on the church books.” Review and Herald, December 31, 1901.
“When in the final judgment we stand before the tribunal of God, it is our words that will justify or condemn us. Much more than we realize is involved in the matter of speech . . . . Let your lips be touched with a live coal from the divine altar. Utter only words of truth. Watch and pray, that your words and deeds may ever confess Christ.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 21.
“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. What is corrupt communication according to the dictionary? “Morally bad, rotten, wicked.”
Let’s see what the Spirit of Prophecy says about that. “The word ‘corrupt’ means here any word that would make an impression detrimental to holy principles and undefiled religion, any communication that would eclipse the view of Christ, and blot from the mind true sympathy and love. It includes impure hints, which, unless instantly resisted, lead to great sin. Upon everyone is laid the duty of barring the way against corrupt communication.” In Heavenly Places, 175.
“Not one word is to be spoken unadvisedly (without careful consideration).” Christ’s Object Lessons, 337. How many words? “Not one.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36.
So why are men doing it anyhow and letting all these useless words proceed out of their mouths? Men do not realize or do not want to realize that they are accountable for their words and that they are even being recorded. “Could the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world be swept back, and the children of men behold an angel recording every word and deed, which they must meet again in the judgment, how many words that are daily uttered would remain unspoken.” Great Controversy, 487.
Before we speak we need to put our brain in gear! We need to think before we speak! Isn’t that correct? Is that easy? Why do people speak before they think? Because they are not in control! Who is in control?
Gossip and Evil Speaking
Let’s look at several types of speech that God despises. First of all evil speaking . How serious is evil speaking ? “Evil-thinking and evil- speaking are a great offense in the sight of God, and those who do these things are not born of the Spirit, but of the flesh.” The Home Missionary, December 1, 1894. “Evil- speaking is a two-fold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife, reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. How miserable is the tale-bearer, the surmiser of evil! He is a stranger to true happiness.” Signs of the Times, February 8, 1883. “No evil speaking . . . will escape the lips of Him who is following Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 337.
Who is the promoter of evil- speaking ? “Evil- speaking ” is “of Satan.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 42. “An earnest effort should be made in every church to put away evilspeaking . . . as among the sins productive of the greatest evils in the church.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 609.
We must help each other in this area, not to encourage this evil listening! “Let your conversation be of such a nature that you will have no need to repent of it . . . If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this evil speaking ; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s Word forbids this kind of conversation.” Our High Calling, 181.
Gossip is a serious problem within the professed people of God! Gossip is sin and “should not be tolerated among the followers of God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 241, 242.
It is also a sin to listen to gossip. “The ears must not be defiled by listening to any gossip that faultfinding ones would have us hear, for I not only cause them to sin in allowing them to talk of others’ faults, but I sin myself in listening to them.” Upward Look, 237.
Do you know who usually is a target of evil- speaking , slander and character assassination in the so-called Christian community? Who is it that is being blamed for all the problems? The one that preaches the truth from God’s Word, the one that reproves sin, the one that calls for repentance, the one that calls sin by it’s right name.
Here are several other types of speech that displease God.
“No fretful repining . . . will escape the lips of him who is following Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 337. What is fretful repining? It is unhappiness, discontentment, worrying and complaining.
“No impure suggestions . . . will escape the lips of him who is following Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 337.
What should be done with impure suggestions? “An impure suggestion must be dismissed at once, and pure, elevating thoughts, holy contemplation, be entertained, thus obtaining more and more knowledge of God by training the mind in the contemplation of heavenly things.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 236.
Jesting and Joking
Should we be able to depend on what a Christian says when he makes a statement? Or should we weigh his words? Does he mean what he says or does he say what he means? Jesus says in Matthew 5:37: “But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” “All you need to say is ‘Yes’ if you mean yes. ‘No’ if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one” (Jerusalem Bible). Isn’t this good advice?
What about the phrase, “I am just kidding” or “I am joking?”
“There is among you too much love of jesting and joking, which is not convenient, and which in no way strengthens the soul or the intellect. Jesting and joking may please a class of cheap minds, but the influence of this kind of conduct is destructive to spirituality . . . Guard your words. Let sobriety and sound common sense characterize your conversation. Do not trifle with the purity and nobility of your souls by condescending to indulgence in stale jokes, and in cultivating habits of trifling conversation. The requirement of God is explicit on these points.” The Youth’s Instructor, May 30, 1895. “To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23.
What should we do when we have inherited a loose tongue? “The tongue needs to be educated and disciplined and trained to speak of the glories of heaven, to talk of the matchless love of Jesus Christ.” Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1146.
What should we do when we are in the company of someone who is talking nonsense? “When in the company of those who indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty to change the subject of conversation if possible. By the help of the grace of God we should quietly drop words or introduce a subject that will turn the conversation into a profitable channel.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 337. “When in society, when compelled to be among the frivolous, the careless and inconsiderate, you are not to descend to their level and engage in cheap and frivolous talk, but dart up your petitions to heaven that the God of all grace will keep your souls in the love of Christ.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, 73.
The Ministers
What about ministers who preach from the pulpit? Are there guidelines for them in this respect?
“When a minister bearing the solemn message of warning to the world, receives the hospitable courtesies of friends and brethren, and neglects the duties of a shepherd of the flock, and is careless in his example and deportment, engaging with the young in trifling conversation, in jesting and joking, and in relating humorous anecdotes to create laughter, he is unworthy of being a gospel minister, and needs to be converted before he is entrusted with the care of the sheep and lambs.” Gospel Workers, 131, 132.
What is a trifling conversation? It is conversation that has little or no value; it is unimportant, insignificant, shallow or foolish.
“The minister who mixes story-telling with his discourses is using strange fire. God is offended, and the cause of truth is dishonored, when his representatives descend to the use of cheap, trifling words.” Review and Herald, December 22, 1904.
“What is the object of the ministry? Is it to mix the comical with the religious? The theater is the place for such exhibitions. If Christ is formed within, if the truth with its sanctifying power is brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul, you will not have jolly men, neither will you have sour, cross, crabbed men to teach the precious lessons of Christ to perishing souls.” Evangelism, 644.
Unsympathetic Speech
“While we lay aside all vanity, all foolish talking, jesting, and joking, we are not to become cold, unsympathetic, and unsocial. The Spirit of the Lord is to rest upon you until you shall be like a fragrant flower from the garden of God. You are to keep talking of the light, of Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, until you shall change from glory to glory, from character to character, going on from strength to strength, and reflecting more and more of the precious image of Jesus.” My Life Today, 196.
There are two extremes: vanity, foolish talking, jesting and joking on one side and being cold, unsympathetic and unsociable on the other. We need the grace of God to know the difference! How can we only speak words that please Jesus? “Let us guard against speaking words that discourage. Let us resolve never to engage in evil-speaking and backbiting. Let us refuse to serve Satan by implanting seeds of doubt. Let us guard against cherishing unbelief, or expressing it to others. Many, many times I have wished that there might be circulated a pledge containing a solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God . . . Let us begin to discipline the tongue, remembering always that we can do this only by disciplining the mind; for ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ ” Review and Herald, May 26, 1904.
Summary
What will the conversations of converted people be like? They will not be: frivolous, empty, light, trifling, low, vulgar, foolish, vain, abusive, bitter, impatient, hasty, angry, severe, dictatorial, untruthful, deceitful, impure, boastful, etc. There will be no evil- speaking , gossip, or talebearing, jesting or joking. A true Christian’s conversation will be: uplifting, dwelling on Christ’s words and character, on the plan of redemption, on heavenly things, on God’s goodness and mercy, expressing meekness. Their words will be kind, loving, truthful, dependable, holy, spiritual, encouraging, chaste, upright, honest, unselfish; they will reveal their connection with Christ and show that religion is not merely a profession.
“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” James 3:2.
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling (if we are willing and submit to Him), and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25.
The End