Christian Standards of Conduct

GOLDEN TEXT: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.”—Psalm 19:14

THE sentiment of our Golden Text should be the true desire of every Christian. Certainly there could be no higher standard of Christian attainment than to have our words and thoughts acceptable to God. The text is part of a prayer by David for guidance in the right way. It follows a meditation by the Psalmist in which first he recalls the glory of God as manifested in the heavens, and then exalts the importance of the Law of the Lord as a governing factor in life. He also praises the statutes of the Lord saying, that they are “right,” and that they rejoice the heart.

David also extols the commandments of the Lord, asserting that they are “pure, enlightening the eyes.” “The fear of the Lord,” he says, “is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they,” David continues, “than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”—Psalm 19:8-11

David, realizing his weaknesses, then prayed, “Cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins.” (Psalm 19:12,13) Then follows our Golden Text as the conclusion of his petition to God for guidance and help in thinking and speaking only that which is pleasing to him.

JAMES 3:1-6—In this passage James sets forth a truth which is acknowledged by all right-thinking persons, namely, that the tongue is a most unruly member of fallen human flesh. The tongue cannot be tamed, he explains. Try as we will, there will be an occasional “slip of the tongue”—not necessarily a malicious speaking of evil, but words which indicate a certain degree of imperfect thinking. The tongue is merely an index of our thoughts, hence the importance of right habits of thought, of meditations based upon the Word of God.

“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,” writes James. Even though we endeavor diligently to fill our minds and hearts with holy thoughts, and to speak only those things which are in harmony with the will of God, we fail in some degree, due to human imperfection. It is important, therefore, that we recognize the only proper method of control, namely, through the heart. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” declares the Master. (Matt. 12:34) If our hearts are filled with bitterness toward others, we will speak bitter words; but if our hearts are filled with divine love, our words will be unctuous and blessed toward all. Offending words, of which the apostle indicates there will be some, should reflect merely a lack of judgment, not a wrong heart condition.

The tongue is a “fire,” writes the apostle, which sets on fire the course of nature, and is itself “set on fire of hell [Gehenna].” This highly figurative language is most descriptive of the harm that is often wrought by the tongue of one who is bitter at heart. Its evil influence spreads and others become involved. Feelings are hurt, anger rises, and one’s whole soul is poisoned. At the same time, the original bitterness is not sweetened, but increased, until finally the individual who gives way to the evil that is in his heart becomes endangered of the second death, symbolized by Gehenna fire.

JAMES 4:4-10—Spiritual adultery on the part of a Christian consists of unholy association with the world, being drawn away by its lust of pride and pleasure. John writes, “Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (I John 2:15) This is understandable, for the selfish spirit of the world is exactly opposite to the unselfish spirit of divine love which God possesses and which should fill the heart and control the life of every Christian.

Instead of looking to the world for satisfaction, we should draw nigh to God. When we do this in sincere humility and singleness of purpose, he will draw nigh to us, and we will find in him a source of true satisfaction and joy which the world can neither give nor take away. But there must be a genuine turning to the Lord. We are to “mourn” and “weep” if we have been guilty of fraternizing with the world after entering into a covenant with the Lord.

Pride is a defiling sin in the sight of God. It leads to self-exaltation and a desire to shine before the brethren. We should constantly be on guard against this sin, and should humble ourselves before the Lord and before his people. It is only those who, with genuine sincerity, thus humble themselves, that he will exalt to joint-heirship with Jesus in the kingdom.

QUESTIONS:

Why is it so important to Christians that the meditations of their hearts should be acceptable to the Lord?

Is it possible for a Christian to keep absolute control over his tongue?

What is spiritual adultery, and how can Christians guard themselves against it?

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