174. JAM 4:11. EVIL SPEAKING

Jam_4:11. Evil Speaking

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren."’97Jam_4:11

The tongue, a very dignified and important member. Life and death in the power of the tongue. How desirable that it should be sanctified to God, and always under the holy restraints of religion! Many ways of offending and doing mischief. The text specifies one of these, viz., Speaking evil of our brethren. Let us define,

I. The Sin of Evil Speaking.

Evil speaking consists in divulging the faults of others needlessly. It is not necessary to the committal of this sin that we circulate what is false. What we say may be partially or wholly true, and yet we may violate the prohibition of the text. There are cases, however, when we may be called upon to testify to facts, as in courts of justice, when we have to bear witness. We may also speak to the person whom we know to be guilty of evil, and with affection reprove or rebuke. Evil speaking is often committed,

1. By dwelling on the failings and faults of others.

Making them the subject of frequent reference and general conversation. Taking satisfaction in exposing them. &c.

2. By dark and martially suppressed insinuations.

Involving the reputation of others in mystery, and leaving persons to form the worst judgment possible of them.

3. By coloring and exaggerating the faults of others.

Passing the boundary of truth. Aggravating their offences, and thus bearing false witness against them. This is palpable and deep-toned wickedness. Notice,

II. Some of the general Causes of Evil Speaking.

1. Cruelty of disposition.

Want of those feelings of tenderness and love which alone can cause us to respect the interests of our fellow-men It is often the result.

2. Of malice and revenge.

We may have really or imaginarily been injured, therefore think we have license to speak evil without hesitation. It often arises,

3. From envy.

Individuals wish to monopolize all the reputation for goodness; therefore try to do so by detracting from that of others. Sometimes,

4. From impertinence and curiosity.

Fools will be meddling. Some know the business of all persons but their own. Sometimes it arises,

5. From a spirit of wantonness and diversion.

Some persons let fly their poisoned arrows, and then raise the fiendish laugh, and say it was in sport.

III. The pernicious Consequences of Evil Speaking.

1. It is pernicious to the person spoken against.

If true’97it is bad, exposing his defects, sinking his credit, instead of casting a mantle of charity over him. If false’97it is verbal assassination, the very next to murder of his person.

2. It is pernicious to the evil speaker.

It is a violation of the law of God’97it debases him’97hardens his soul’97increases his guilt’97and will greatly aggravate his future misery.

3. It is pernicious to society.

Keeps it in a state of distraction. Produces confusion, brawls, strifes, and often leads to litigations, and sometimes to a spirit of malignity, and to the shedding of blood.

IV. Notice some Arguments which ought to induce us to avoid this flagrant Vice.

We ought to avoid evil speaking,

1. Because it implies a judging of others, which is an invasion of God’s prerogative.

God will judge. He will not give his glory to another. "Judge not," &c.

2. It is opposed to the general tenor of God’s word. Levit. xix. 16; Psa_15:3; Psa_64:3; Mat_7:1-12; 1Co_5:11.

3. It is opposed to the principles of fraternal love.

We are bound to love our neighbors as ourselves. 1Jn_3:10; 1Jn_4:20, Col_3:12.

4. If persisted in, it will bring certain and eternal destruction upon thy soul.

God cannot approve of us’97evidently the children of the wicked one’97incapable of enjoying heaven, &c.’97then how important that we feel the force and spirit of the text; and that we do not speak evil one of another!

Autor: JABEZ BURNS