. Some people use pepper instead. J. R. Miller, Christian Conversation,
1898. Out of the overflow of the heart,
the mouth speaks. Matthew 12, 34. Hence, we must
get our heart right, if we would speak words that are Christ-like,
A bitter heart cannot give out sweet words, nor can an impure
heart speak wholesome, pure words. Most people talk too much. They chatter on forever. Silence
is far better than idle, sinful, or foolish speech. We have suggestions
in the New Testament as to the kind of speech that is worthy
of a redeemed life. Paul has some very plain words
on the subject. Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may impart grace
to the hearers. Ephesians 4 29. That is, No word
should be spoken which does not help to build up character, make
those who hear it better, inspire some good thought, some holy
feeling, some kindly act, or put some touch of beauty upon
the life. A Christian's words should impart
grace to the hearers, that is, they should impart blessing in
some way. We all know people whose words
have this quality. They are not always exhorting,
preaching, or talking religiously, and yet we never speak with them
without being the better for it. Their simplest words do us
good. They give cheer, courage, and
hope. We feel braver and stronger after
a little conversation with them, even after a moment's greeting
on the street. In another place, Paul says,
let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with
salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians
4, 6. This means graceful speech, not
merely as to its manner, but also as to its quality. It must
be speech such as Christ himself would use if he were in our place,
and we know that every word of his was a holy seed. Our speech
is to be full of grace, it is to be true, reverent, helpful,
inspiring. Our speech should be seasoned
with salt, that is, it should be pure and clean. Salt preserves
from decay and putridity. The Christian speech should have
in it the divine quality of holiness, and its effect should be cleansing
and purifying. Someone speaks of the words of
Jesus as a handful of spices cast into this world's bitter
waters to sweeten them. Every Christian's words should
have like influence in society wherever they are spoken. The
seasoning is important. Our speech is to be seasoned
with salt. Love is salt. Truth is salt. Our speech should be always kindly. It should be without bitterness,
without malice, without unforgiveness in any form. The seasoning should
be salt. Some people use pepper instead. And pepper is sharp, biting,
pungent. Their speech is full of sarcasm,
of censure, of bitterness, of words that hurt and burn. This
is not Christlike speech. We should never be content to
talk even five minutes with another without saying at least a word
or two that may do good, that may give a helpful impulse or
kindle an upward aspiration.