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Inspired Communication Skills November 29
No Guile
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with
him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written
in their foreheads. . . . And in their mouth was found no guile”
(Revelation 14:1, 5).
It is not the ready speaker, the sharp intellect, that counts with
God. It is the earnest purpose, the deep piety, the love of truth, the
fear of God, that has a telling influence. A testimony from the heart,
coming from lips in which is no guile, full of faith and humble trust,
though given by a stammering tongue, is accounted of God as precious
as gold; while the smart speech, the eloquent oratory, of the one
to whom is entrusted large talents, but who is wanting in truthfulness,
in steadfast purpose, in purity, in unselfishness, are as sounding
brass and a tinkling cymbal. He may say witty things, he may relate
amusing anecdotes, he may play upon the feelings; but the spirit of
Jesus is not in it. All these things may please unsanctified hearts, but
God holds in His hands the balances that weigh the words, the spirit,
the sincerity, the devotion, and He pronounces it altogether lighter
than vanity. 72
Those who have learned of Christ will “have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). In speech, as in
life, they will be simple, straightforward, and true, for they are
preparing for the fellowship of those holy ones in whose mouth “was
found no guile” (Revelation 14:5). 73
If you have prevaricated, if you have borne false witness, if you
have misjudged and misinterpreted your brother, if you have misstated
his words, ridiculed him, if you have injured his influence in any
way, go right to the persons with whom you have conversed about
him, with whom you have united in this work, and take all your injurious
misstatements back. Confess the wrong that you have done
your brother; for your sin will stand charged against you in the books
of record until you do all that lies in your power to correct the evil
your words have wrought. When you have done all that God requires
of you, pardon will be written against your name. 74
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