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Daniel T. Bourdeau - The Eternal Gospel Church

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And first, the tongue is rightly used in speaking of and<br />

addressing the Creator with reverence, according to his<br />

holy and exalted perfections and our dependence upon him.<br />

If we do this from the heart we shall not be guilty of<br />

taking God's holy name in vain. We shall realize his<br />

goodness and love, and will not be inclined to murmur<br />

against him, but will be grateful to him for his dealings<br />

with us, and for the least blessing we receive at his hand.<br />

p. 55, Para. 1, [HOLINESS].<br />

But while the tongue is properly used in speaking of, and<br />

addressing, God in a manner compatible with his holy<br />

perfections and our dependence upon him, it should speak<br />

of, and address, others with respect, according to the<br />

relations they sustain to us and the Creator. In speaking<br />

of the wrong use of the tongue, James says, "<strong>The</strong>rewith<br />

bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men<br />

which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same<br />

mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing My brethren, these<br />

things ought not so to be." James iii, 9, 10. p. 55, Para.<br />

2, [HOLINESS].<br />

It is not a small matter to curse others with the tongue.<br />

If we curse our fellow creatures who are made in the image<br />

of God and have God for their Father, we offend God, and<br />

are not in a condition to bless or exalt him, and he cannot<br />

accept a blessing from us, Indeed, he cannot look on any<br />

thing that we can say to exalt him as a blessing. What we<br />

say of him proceeds from the same heart that leads us to<br />

curse those whom he has created, and over whom his care,<br />

love and mercy are extended. This is clearly illustrated in<br />

the following verses: "Doth a fountain send forth at the<br />

same place sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my<br />

brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? So can<br />

no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." Verses 11,<br />

12. p. 55, Para. 3, [HOLINESS].<br />

Cursing is the opposite of blessing, and we can curse<br />

others in various ways. And the ungodly are not the only<br />

ones that are guilty here. James is here admonishing and<br />

correcting his "brethren." p. 56, Para. 1, [HOLINESS].<br />

We curse others with the tongue in slandering and<br />

backbiting. <strong>The</strong> unsanctified tongue is said to be full of<br />

deadly poison, and its deadly and poisonous influence is<br />

felt by others. It would be considered a heinous crime to<br />

put a portion of strychnine or arsenic into food prepared

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