In a number of the articles in this issue of The Christian, there has been a strong focus on the wrong use of the tongue and serious warnings as to the long-term effects of saying sinful things. These warnings are needed, for as the Lord Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). Our natural hearts are evil, and if we, as Christians, allow our old sinful nature to act, our mouths will reflect our evil hearts.
Hard Knocks
Many years ago, a young man went out to China to work with Hudson Taylor in spreading the gospel. As was his custom, Hudson Taylor took the young man out to lunch in order to tell him what he might expect in his life in China. During the meal, Hudson Taylor suddenly brought his closed fist down hard on the table, causing water to spill out of both their glasses. When the young man looked at him in surprise, Hudson explained to him that in China, he would undoubtedly have to take a lot of “hard knocks.” Then he went on to say that when he received a hard knock, what was inside would come out, just as water had spilled out of the glasses of water when Hudson had struck the table.
This is a good lesson for all of us, for it is when we receive a hard knock in this world that our true state of soul is exposed. An old brother used to remind us that “circumstances do not produce our state of soul; they manifest it.”
Overcome Evil With Good
However, the word of God is balanced, and if we need warnings against using our mouths in the wrong way, so also we need encouragement to use them in the right way. Scripture reminds us, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). As well as guarding our lips, we ought also to speak words that are good and right. This is of greater importance than ever today, when men and women will say almost anything publicly without shame.
Our Lord Jesus Christ never sinned in any way, and this was particularly noticeable in what He said. Time and again the Jewish leaders tried to entangle Him in His talk, hoping to be able to accuse Him of something. Yet He never succumbed to any of these attempts. Let us look at a few things that He said.
Gracious Words
When our Lord began His earthly ministry, we find Him in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He had been brought up. After reading a portion of the book of Isaiah, He spoke to the people, and it is recorded that they “wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). Our Lord began by bringing grace before the people, for they were used to hearing the unyielding words of a law that none of them could keep. But here was One who came to them in grace, introducing Himself as the One who would bring healing and deliverance to them, if they would have Him. Sadly, they were offended, thinking that He was only the son of Joseph, and not the Son of God. Their familiarity with Him blinded their hearts as to who He was.
The Power of Words
It is well-known that when we communicate with others, it is not only the words we say, but also the tone of our voice and our body language too that are part of the message. Needless to say, the tone of our voice and our body language carry more weight than what we say. We can rest assured that when our Lord spoke with gracious words, all that He said was in harmony with the tone of His voice and His body language. Later on in His ministry, the Jewish leaders sent officers to arrest Him. When they came back without Him, the officers said to their leaders, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). This illustrates another point about godly words — there is a moral power in them that is greater than physical power. The officers had the natural power to arrest the Lord, but His words had such an effect on them that they could not do so. We see this same effect later on in Luke 4, when He spoke in the synagogue in Capernaum. Once again, we read that “they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power” (vs. 32). There is a power in words spoken by the Spirit of God, and they have an effect even on ungodly people. I remember many years ago bringing a college friend of mine to a gospel meeting at a Bible conference, and while he did not get saved at that time, he was most impressed with the gospel message. The gospel in this case was given by a brother who had no special education, but there was power in what he said. (The young man in question did get saved many years later.)
We read in John 1:17 that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,” and while we cannot have one without the other, yet it is significant that grace is mentioned first. God is a God of grace, and what we preach today is “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Just as the words of the Lord Jesus reflected that grace, so should you and I in our speech. A gracious word has often broken down a hard heart when a solemn warning seems to have no effect. Paul could exhort the Colossians in the same way, and told them, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6). Grace should always be there, but the salt is necessary too.
Strong Words of Warning
Our blessed Lord spoke with grace, as we have seen, but there were times when He had to speak strong words of warning. He had to tell those in Nazareth (Luke 4:24-27) that there was no blessing for those who rejected Him just because He had grown up among them. He had to warn the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy in Matthew 23:1-36, calling them fools and a “generation of vipers.”
Yet, in spite of His strong words to them, He concluded His speech by lamenting over the city of Jerusalem and expressing the wish that He might gather their children together, “even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings” (vs. 37). In spite of their unbelief and rejection of Him, His thoughts were for them and the judgment that they would bring upon themselves. His love to them never changed.
A Time to Speak
As well as the example we have with our Lord’s gracious words, there are many other references to speaking and how and when we use our lips. Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Often not speaking has a greater impact than many words. In comforting someone in trial, how good it is to sit quietly in companionship and understanding. Many words are not needed here.
First Corinthians 14:3 admonishes us to “speak unto men to edification, exhortation and comfort.” These three things need learning, wisdom and compassion. We are reminded of the verse, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin” (Prov. 10:19). Prayerful consideration should come before much speaking!
And to climax all this instruction, we have that beautiful verse in Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures [settings] of silver.” We have all experienced that “fitly spoken word” and can appreciate its value—the right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way. May we daily ask the Lord for His guidance for our every word!
W. J. Prost