Have you ever wondered why God has given us two ears but only one mouth? I have often wondered why some people act as if they had two mouths and only one ear. We will discover that our words should be few and well chosen; but there are those who can hardly open their mouth and, when they do, they seldom find the right words.

The Bible says: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19. “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” James 3:6. “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. . . He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. . . He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 19:11; 14:29; 16:32

Let us illustrate this with a clear difference between your words before and after true conversion. Before, when there is one involved in a discussion, he would gruffly say, “You do not understand.” But after his true conversion will say very kindly, “Maybe I was not clear enough. Let me say it all over in other words.” Before, he would say, “You are wrong.” Now he may say, “Have you considered both sides of the question?” Before, he would say, “You are a liar.” Now he says, “It seems to me that you do not have all the facts.” “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.” James 3:2–6. “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 12:18

One of the proverbs of King Solomon reads: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. At the beginning of His ministry, Christ taught: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” Matthew 5:9. There is a bright future for peacemakers, but not for troublemakers.

“Our great Exemplar was exalted to be equal with God. He was high commander in heaven. All the holy angels delighted to bow before Him. ‘And again, when He bringeth in the First-begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.’ Jesus took upon Himself our nature, laid aside His glory, majesty, and riches to perform His mission, to save that which was lost. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto others. Jesus, when reviled, abused, and insulted, did not retaliate. ‘Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again.’ When the cruelty of man caused Him to suffer painful stripes and wounds, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him who judgeth righteously. The apostle Paul exhorted his Philippian brethren: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.’ Is the servant greater than his master? Christ has given us His life as a pattern, and we dishonor Him when we become jealous of every slight, and are ready to resent every injury, supposed or real. It is not an evidence of a noble mind to be prepared to defend self, to preserve our own dignity.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 426

“. . . slow to speak . . .”

When the Lord comes again you and I will need to be prepared, and Scripture informs us that to be victorious in that day we must be found without “guile” in our mouths. Many Christians have overlooked the importance of speech in preparing the character for heaven.

Words are the expression of our thoughts and feelings. They are used for statements, remarks, protests, explanations and definitions. According to semantics, every word has a meaning. Words also play an important part in the different areas of life, such as in advertising, sales psychology, etc. We want to consider how words are connected with our life of faith so we are motivated to think about our words. We need to take heed and much care when we answer or react to any speech. The apostle Paul, inspired, wrote about the care which could be heeded: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

“Speech is one of the great gifts of God. It is the means by which the thoughts of the heart are communicated. It is with the tongue that we offer prayer and praise to God. With the tongue we convince and persuade. With the tongue we comfort and bless, soothing the bruised, wounded soul. With the tongue we may make known the wonders of the grace of God. With the tongue also we may utter perverse things, speaking words that sting like an adder.” –The Review and Herald, May 12, 1910

We carry a great deal of power and influence in our voice. Often we do not realize the tremendous implications inherent in virtually every sound we utter. Today we are deciding if our voice will express allegiance to Christ or to Satan in the great controversy before us. Which choice are you making? Today the enemy of souls knows that the voice will be a key factor in deciding the destiny of countless men and women. He is trying to make us use this special talent for evil rather than for good. “Not one word is to be spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking, no frivolous talk, no fretful repining or impure suggestion, will escape the lips of him who is following Christ. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says, ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth’ (Ephesians 4:29). A corrupt communication does not mean only words that are vile. It means any expression contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled religion. It includes impure hints and covert insinuations of evil. Unless instantly resisted, these lead to great sin.” –The Signs of the Times, July 2, 1902

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. Hard words sow seeds which produce a bad harvest of fruits which no one will store. Our own words have an effect upon our own character, as well as upon others. Only the infinite God can measure the harm which has been produced by inconsiderate words. These words pass our lips; and although we may not want to hurt others with them, they are an index of our thoughts and work on the side of Satan. What unhappiness has already been produced through the speaking out of thoughtless, unkind words in the family circle! We, as Christians, should pay attention to the influence of our words, whether we are with believers or unbelievers.

What can our words cause? All of us at one time or another have experienced the disputes, sorrow, and worry produced by inconsiderate words. What leads to such outbreaks? Does it not come from our own inner discord or lack of trust in Christ? What is this a sign of? “Unless we control our words and temper, we are slaves to Satan. We are in subjection to him. He leads us captive. All jangling and unpleasant, impatient, fretful words are an offering presented to his satanic majesty. . . for it destroys the peace and happiness of whole families, destroys health, and is eventually the cause of forfeiting an eternal life of happiness.” –The Adventist Home, p. 437

To ministers, leaders, and workers

What attitude should ministers and others in church responsibility take toward those who come to them with a report against any coworker or member? “When a person comes to a minister or to men in positions of trust with complaints against a brother or a sister, let the minister ask, ‘Have you complied with the rules our Saviour has given?’ And if he has failed to carry out any particular of this instruction, do not listen to a word of his complaint. In the name and Spirit of Jesus, refuse to take up a report against your brother or your sister in the faith. If members of the church go contrary to these rules, they make themselves subjects for church discipline and should be under the censure of the church. This matter, so plainly taught in the lessons of Christ, has been treated with strange indifference. The church has either neglected her work entirely in the matter of correcting evil, or has done it with harshness and severity, thus wounding and bruising souls. Measures should be taken to correct this cruel spirit of criticism, of judging the motives of others, as though Christ had revealed to men the hearts of their brethren.” –The Review and Herald, April 16, 1895

Our ministers, missionary workers, and church officers must all practice this divine rule. They must gather their congregation and present before them this obligation. The evil speaker should be checked at once. The church of God will not progress until this door by which the enemy so often enters is resolutely closed. In the light of this instruction, how would we classify those who write evil reports against others and against the work, and yet never reveal it at the right time to those in responsibility? The evil speaker who whispers in the ear of another commits three evils:  (1) against himself or herself; (2) against the one spoken about; and (3) against the one whose character is being destroyed.

“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. . . A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Proverbs 10:18; 17:4. We should not speak one word which we would not want holy angels seeing and registering in the heavenly books. Reports about our wrong words and deeds enter the heavenly books.

“….slow to wrath”

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Proverbs 14:29

Take care of your thoughts. Sin begins in the heart. If you keep your thoughts pure, your life will be blameless. The indulgence of sinful thoughts and desires produces sinful actions. When you are in a situation provoking your anger, do not give up or be angry quickly. The Bible says be “slow to wrath”. “Words once spoken, deeds once done, can never be recalled. . . . Our acts, our words, even our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe.” –The Great Controversy, p. 486. “When one once gives place to an angry spirit, he is just as much intoxicated as the man who has put the glass to his lips. Learn the eloquence of silence.” –Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 582

We may feel it is our right to vindicate. The Spirit of Prophecy says, “We must give others an example of not stopping at every trifling offense in order to vindicate our rights. We may expect that false reports will circulate about us; but if we follow a straight course, if we remain indifferent to these things, others will also be indifferent. Let us leave to God the care of our reputation. And thus, like sons and daughters of God, we shall show that we have self-control. We shall show that we are led by the Spirit of God, and that we are slow to anger.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1160–1161

“Jesus did not contend for His rights.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 89. Like the apostle Paul, we must bring all our thoughts, words and deeds into subjection to the will of Christ. Our words and deeds prove clearly what kind of character we have—the character of Jesus or of Satan. Those who are in daily communion with God show meekness in their characters. Their words are kind. They bear the fruit of love and kindness in all their actions. They are unconscious of it, because Christ dwells in their hearts.

A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. “If we would guard our words, so that nothing but kindness shall escape our lips, we will give evidence that we are preparing to become members of the heavenly family.” –Medical Ministry, p. 213

“Meekness in the school of Christ is one of the marked fruits of the Spirit. It is a grace wrought by the Holy Spirit as a sanctifier, and enables its possessor at all times to control a rash and impetuous temper. When the grace of meekness is cherished by those who are naturally sour or hasty in disposition, they will put forth the most earnest efforts to subdue their unhappy temper. Every day they will gain self-control, until that which is unlovely and unlike Jesus is conquered. They become assimilated to the Divine Pattern, until they can obey the inspired injunction, ‘Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’ (James 1:19).” –The Sanctified Life, p. 15

Victor Shumbusho
Congo Union Secretary