The Gift of Speech

The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of all the gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this. With the voice we convince and persuade; with it we offer praise and prayer to God; and with it we tell others of the Redeemer’s love. Not one word is to be spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking, no frivolous talk, no fretful repining or impure suggestions, will escape the lips of him who is following Christ.

The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). A corrupt communication does not mean only words that are vile. It means any expression contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled religion. It includes impure hints and covert suggestions of evil. Unless instantly resisted, these lead to great sin.

Upon every family, upon every individual Christian, is laid the duty of barring the way against corrupt speech. When [we are] 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 try to drop words or introduce a subject that will turn the conversation into a profitable channel.

Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love of God, this will be revealed in the conversation. It will not be a difficult matter to impart that which enters into our spiritual life. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will bear fruit in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure. When Christ is thus revealed in our speech, it will have a power in winning souls to Him.

We should speak of Christ to those who know Him not. We should do as Christ did. Wherever He was, in the synagogue, by the wayside, in the boat thrust out a little from the land, at the Pharisee’s feast or the table of the publican, He spoke to men of the things pertaining to the higher life.—The Signs of the Times, July 2, 1902.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 197
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me as I have a job interview this afternoon. Pray that I get the job if it is God’s will. RJ
—-Please be in prayer for my family. We are in a situation and I am very stressed about it. We need some door opened or some grace and favor. Jennifer
—-July 5th update on Baby Wyatt: The past few days have been on the rough side. We are trying to figure out Wyatt’s gut and why he can’t tolerate formula. We are also trying to figure out the source of his bleeding. We will also have to get an ultrasound done today to check on the fluid inside his liver. We did manage to get a few hours off of dialysis Friday, so we went for a wagon ride. As far as Wyatt’s kidney transplant evaluation, we are still waiting for them to have their big meeting of the 15th. Mary
—-Please continue to pray for E and her children. R
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Dear Friends,

As we read the news, it seems that there is a steep increase in violent crime of all kinds. There is no safety anywhere anymore. We wonder how someone can get to the point where they can attack or kill another person. As we read of details of many of the crimes, I say as did my mother as she got older, “It’s a scary old world now-a-days.”

We shake our heads in disbelief at all of the happenings. Yet how often do we are guilty of killing our fellow Christians with venomous words. How many times we wound someone by spreading rumors about them. Paul warns, “if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Gal 5:15

The wise man observes, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” He admonishes us, “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” “Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Prov 18:8; 31:9; 8:6-9

May we put in practice the admonition of Jesus, “as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31 May we ask our Loving Saviour to speak through us to those around us. May we pray as did David, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 19:14

Rose