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Inspired Communication Skills November 11
Watching Our Words
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”
(Psalm 141:3).
I was shown the case of Brother U’s wife. She has a desire to do
right, but has failings which cause herself and her friends much trouble.
She talks too much. She lacks experience in the things of God, and
unless she is converted and transformed by the renewing of the mind,
she will be unable to stand amid the perils of the last days. Heart
work is needed. Then the tongue will be sanctified. There is much
talking which is sinful and should be avoided. She should set a strict
watch before the door of her lips and keep her tongue as with a bridle,
that her words may not work wickedness. She should cease talking
of others’ faults, dwelling upon others’ peculiarities, and discovering
others’ infirmities. Such conversation is censurable in any person.
It is unprofitable and positively sinful. It tends only to evil. The
enemy knows that if this course is pursued by Christ’s professed followers,
it is opening a door for him to work.
I saw that when sisters who are given to talk get together, Satan is
generally present, for he finds employment. He stands by to excite the
mind and make the most of the advantage he has gained. He knows
that all this gossip, and tale-bearing, and revealing of secrets, and dissecting
of character, separate the soul from God. It is death to spirituality
and a calm religious influence. Sister U sins greatly with her
tongue. She ought by her words to have an influence for good, but she
frequently talks at random. Sometimes her words put a different construction
upon things than they will bear. Sometimes there is exaggeration.
Then there is misstatement. There is no intention to misstate,
but the habit of much talking and talking upon things that are unprofitable
has been so long cherished that she has become careless and
reckless in her words, and frequently does not know what she is stating
herself. This destroys any influence for good she might have. It is
time there was an entire reform in this respect. 26
Say nothing that you would not be willing to say in the presence
of Jesus and the angels. 27
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