BY THY WORDS --- Matthew 12:37.
"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. --- Matthew 12:37.
The general turn of a man's discourse will clearly discover the bent of his mind; for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Other outward marks may be imitated; but not to offend in tongue, to be free from detraction and boasting, to speak the truth in love, to "let no corrupt communication (nothing contrary to peace or holiness) proceed out of the mouth;" this is the finger of God.
Here the hypocrite and formalist always fail. Let us earnestly pray for grace to bridle the tongue. "O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, keep the door of my lips," that I may never bring a reproach upon my profession by speaking proud, false, foolish, or censorious words.
The tongue, that most unruly power,
Requires a strong restraint;
We must be watchful every hour,
And pray, but never faint.
Lord, can a feeble, helpless worm
Peform a task so hard?
Thy grace must all the work perform,
And give the free reward.