When we consider speech, the talent of speech is something I am sure some of us take for granted. For most of us, to be able to speak without any impediment is totally normal. But there are some who do not have this talent; some are born mute or deaf and they cannot communicate in the same way that we can. People with speech impediments find it very difficult to communicate with others because speech does not come easily to them. So, when you think about it, we really are blessed, that we can speak; but, sometimes I think a lot of us are like Moses, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Exodus 4:10. It may be true that we are shy and are not so at ease with speaking, but prior to Moses saying this, God had given him many signs that He would be with him on his mission to Pharaoh. God gives us the same promises in His book; He gives us the power and talent of speech.
The Lord gives us the same message that he gave to Moses, “And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Exodus 4:11–12
The Lord promised Moses that He would help him and be with him and even tell him what to say. Can you imagine how wonderful that must have been? In Patriarchs and Prophets we read that Moses “complaining of his unfitness showed distrust of God.” The Spirit of Prophecy also explains to us more in depth what Moses’s speech problem was. “He had been so long away from the Egyptians that he had not so clear knowledge and ready use of their language as when he was among them.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 254
Perhaps this is also something that we think might impede our speech—language barriers. But just like God provided for Moses so He will do for us, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). It should be this love that motivates us to speak to others about Jesus even though we may be shy or have a language barrier; God will be with us and can work miracles.
A good example of this is found in Acts 2:4, 6. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”
God worked a miracle for His people in that time and He can do it again; but, instead of waiting for God to do something as miraculous as this, we can step out in faith, trusting in the promises of God, saying, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Ellen White tells us in many of her writings that “The tongue is an unruly member, but it should not be so. It should be converted; for the talent of speech is a very precious talent.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 173–174
“The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of all the gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this. With the voice we convince and persuade, with it we offer prayer and praise to God, and with it we tell others of the Redeemer’s love. How important, then, that it be so trained as to be most effective for good.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 335
“The voice is an entrusted talent, and it should be used to help and encourage and strengthen our fellowmen. . . . The right culture and use of the power of speech has to do with every line of Christian work. . . . We should accustom ourselves to speak in pleasant tones, to use pure and correct language, . . . and ‘know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.’ And the Lord bids us, ‘Let your speech be alway with grace,’ ‘that it may minister grace unto the hearers’. . . . If we follow Christ’s example in doing good, hearts will open to us as they did to Him.
“Not abruptly, but with tact born of divine love, we can tell them of Him who is the ‘Chiefest among ten thousand,’ and the One ‘altogether lovely.’ This is the very highest work in which we can employ the talent of speech.
“Righteous words and deeds have a more powerful influence for good than all the sermons that can be preached.” –My Life Today, p. 114
“Speech is a talent, and can be used to honour or dishonour God. We are accountable for our use of the talent of words. . . . The talent of speech, of memory, of property, all are to accumulate for the glory of God, to advance His kingdom.” —Lt 44, 1900
Even though we have most likely heard similar messages like this before I hope this was another reminder and encouragement to go tell other people about the way to salvation. No matter what impediments we may have, God has given the power of speech to everyone here, so we all need to do our part; we can all improve our manners of speech. And, remember to always speak for the furthering of God’s work. Amen.
Elaine Romero