Sincerity of Speech

MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” —Ephesians 4:25

EXODUS 20:16; PROVERBS 26:18,19; MATTHEW 12:33-37; EPHESIANS 4:15, 29-31

THE bearing of “false witness,” prohibited by the Ninth Commandment, could suggest a court room and the giving of false testimony. Certainly it covers the giving of false testimony under all circumstances, whether it be in a court room or elsewhere, and regardless of the circumstances. The commandment emphasizes that false testimony is not to be given “against” one’s neighbor. Bearing false witness is in itself culpable enough, but when it is designed to injure others it is a reprehensible sin indeed.

The Proverbs portion of the lesson compares a deceiver to “a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death.” James uses language somewhat similar when referring to the improper use of the tongue: “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”—James 3:5,6

The Greek word here translated “hell” is Gehenna, signifying a valley just outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. Fires were kept burning in this valley to destroy the refuse of the city. Criminals considered by the Jews to be unworthy of a resurrection were sometimes cast into Gehenna. The Bible uses the term as a symbol of eternal destruction, described in Revelation 20:14 as “the second death.” James explains that those who, through bitterness, use their tongues to do injury to others, put themselves in danger of this final punishment of the wicked.

Jesus enlarged upon this when he said to the scribes and Pharisees, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: but an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

To bear false witness against one’s neighbor would indicate an evil condition of heart, a desire to do injury. Such a condition of heart could lead to serious consequences relative to one’s relationship with God, particularly if nothing is done about it. There is, of course, the possibility of a cleansing of the heart, and we should all be on guard in this connection and seek the cleansing power of the truth and of the blood of Christ if and when we notice the slightest trace of bitterness in the heart.

Our memory verse urges Christians to put away lying, and to “speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” As brethren in Christ we should have a brotherly interest in each other and always be on the alert to do our brethren good, both by our words and by our deeds. If we are in this attitude of heart and mind we will certainly not want to bear false witness against our brethren.

We are not to permit any “corrupt communication [to] proceed out of” our mouth, “but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” After all, the desire of all Christians should be to “minister grace” to all with whom they come into contact, especially their fellow members in the body of Christ.

To be otherwise minded would be contrary to the influence of the Holy Spirit, and Paul urges us to “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,” which means not to go contrary to its leadings. To be filled and molded by the Holy Spirit it is essential that we be emptied of self and of the evil tendencies described by Paul as “bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, … with all malice.” If these unholy thoughts control our minds and hearts, then “evil speaking” will result and our words will fail to “minister grace unto the hearers.”

Instead of speaking evil, we are to speak the truth in love, and thereby “grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ.” The marginal translation gives the thought of being sincere in our love. True Christian love, which is the fountain of wholesome, upbuilding, and encouraging words, is not just an outward display of kindness. It is a principle of unselfishness and a sincere and genuine interest in others which will move one to lay down life itself that others may be blessed.

QUESTIONS

Explain James’ lesson on the use of the tongue.

What danger confronts those who bear false witness?

What qualities of heart and mind will assure against evil speaking?

What are the characteristics of true Christian love?

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