Conversation
By
Kenneth "Trey" Zimmerman III
"Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,
in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
This month is based on the topic of conversation.
Some versions say conduct but the KJV is what I'm using.
This article is going to be based on the importance of controlling
your speech. This is a very difficult discipline to put into practice; as James
3:7-8 explains:
"For every kind of beasts, and
of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been
tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison."
In the Ten Commandments, 2 of the
10 are about what you say.
The
3rd commandment is:
"Thou shalt not take the name
of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that
taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7
Just the
fact that this warning is number 3 on the whole list tells us a
lot. What you can say is important.
The 9th Commandment is:
"Thou shalt not bear false
witness against thy neighbor." Exodus 20:16
This principle has been
something you've been told since you were a child: "Don't lie, it gets you
in more trouble." Once again, the 9th Commandment shows us
that speech is dangerous if it is used incorrectly.
Language is
important to how people respect not just you, but Christians in general. When
you're cussing people out over something they didn't mean to do, most people
assume all Christians are like that. And just think what God thinks
of cussing others out since He wants us to get along (Psalm 133:1).
Other
passages of God's Word say:
"My brethren, be not many
masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many
things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,
and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses'
mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also
the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet
are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor
listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in
the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man
tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the
same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive
berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and
fresh." James 3:1-12
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we
will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get
gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do
this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is
evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
sin."
James 4:13-17
"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth
righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the
piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth
shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit
is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is
joy. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled
with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly
are his delight."
Proverbs 12:17-22
"An ungodly man diggeth up
evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife:
and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour,
and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise
froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a
crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to
anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that
taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is
of the Lord."
Proverbs 16:27-33
--Taken
From An
Introduction to the Timothy Commission by Ryan M Marks and Kenneth Zimmerman III
