Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. (James 3:2) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:5)
A few days ago, Elder Xu of Zhucheng Gospel Church (not sure) shared an audio testimony entitled, "The Words of Christians" on WeChat, saying that Christians need to tame the tongue and speak the truth.
First, he used an example from the Old Testament to illustrate the importance of speech.
The Israelis sent 12 spies to the land of Canaan. They stayed there for 40 days. When they returned, 10 of the spies gave false reports, saying that the people in that place were great and talented men. They believed that what they said was true, but from God's perspective, their words were false. Because after they gave their report, the other Hebrews melted away. Do the words of Christians weaken the faith of others, or destroy the work of others? Elder Xu said that good and bad speech should be judged by the standards of the Bible.
He listed three types of false words.
1) Judgment. A judgment is when you determine whether something or someone is either good or bad. For example, the teachers of law and the Pharisees accused a woman of adultery before Jesus. They judged and convicted her. When judging a person, you think you are righteous and better than the other person and not guilty of sin. Maybe you don't commit the crime of adultery, but you may have committed other crimes. Everyone is a sinner and doesn’t have the right to judge others.
When you judge others, you think you are helping them. The problem is that your own problem has not been solved. How can you help others? The more you try to help the worse things become, Elder Xu said.
2) Fabrication. Fabrication is an act of the devil; using false words is a sin. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11) Today Christians will also face slander, but God will transform these fabrications into blessings for his people, so we are blessed.
3) Complaint. Complaining is a serious sin in the eyes of God. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. (1 Corinthians 10:10). For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) Since it is his good purpose, let us not complain or argue.
Then Elder Xu listed three kinds of good words.
1) Words of Help. Words should be helpful and build up others. These can benefit those who listen. They are words that bring help, strength, confidence, peace and joy.
2) Words of peace. "The words of peace should be on the heart and mouth of every Christian because our Lord is the King of Peace. He will give his peace to his people. So we must bring peace to those around us," Elder Xu shared. Therefore, when we speak or bless others, we should use kind words.
3) Words of thanks. "So for everything that comes to us today, we must say thanks to the Lord. Because this is the grace and the blessing he gives me, and what the Lord has prepared for me is just right. And when we give thanks there will be no complaints; when we share appreciation, there will be no judgement."
The sermon concluded with a description of two kinds of life. One life is in Adam and the other in Christ. Through the lips of man, words reveal which is your life. We should practice discipline, control the tongue, refrain from speaking ill, and share words that benefit others.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
