Seriousness

Of late my attention has been called to this subject by the Spirit of God, so I feel by His help to write a few lines on it. Now, seriousness and godliness are inseparable (that is, godly seriousness), and where one is found the other is sure to be. Webster says: "Seriousness is gravity of manner or mind; solemnity; without levity."

Truly, my heart is pained to see the lack of this sister to godliness among the most pious and religions people of our day. O, how light and trifling some of the representatives of Jesus Christ are to-day, even ministers of the gospel. But that deep solemnity that makes one to live, move and act "as seeing Him that is invisible" is rarely seen any more.

What I want to notice is that solemn declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ found in Matt. 12: 36: "But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." O that all men would lay this to heart, and most especially those who profess to know and walk with God! If so, it would not only be a sure cure for evil speaking, but for all light and uncalled-for words, at home and abroad.

Think now, reader! Begin at your own door, and see how many uncalled-for, useless, unimportant words you utter daily; words that if the second thought were taken, would not be spoken; words that do not "edify" the hearer. Remember the solemn caution of the apostle: "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Jesus says: "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (from the devil) (Matt. 5:37).

How much idle talk do we hear in a religious gathering In olden times, while the services were going on, the people would sit in prayer and tears, but in these days the so-called people of God sit in the service and talk, and look about over the room, with no concern whatever. In the early days of Christianity, when the services were dismissed, each individual walked quietly out of the room, as though they saw God in their midst. But in these days, as soon as meeting is out, laughing and talking are heard equal to "Vanity Fair," and while people are at worship on the Lord's holy day they are heard talking about the next week's business, work and trading, and when on their way to church, when their thoughts should be lifted to God for His blessings on the services, they are talking about worldly things-houses, lands, gain, and home affairs. And at home, how many useless words are used, loud laughing, long conversations that are to no profit. Remember, friend, Jesus says, "every idle word." If all useless words that are used by the so-called children of God were turned into prayers and pleadings, we believe God would convert a nation in a day. 

O, let us all be more serious in our whole manner, actions and words. Let our words be few-"Yea, yea; Nay, nay," i. e., to the point. No boisterous talking; no loud, rude laughing. Solomon says: "A fool laughs loud." No uncalled-for talk about the customs of the day; but weigh every word before speaking. Keep to the old proverb, "Think twice before you speak once." Again, be serious; be a man or woman of "few words," for "in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin." O, how God's Spirit is grieved in these days through light and trifling talk. Keep this thought in view: "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

Would you speak idle and uncalled-for words if you saw an angel walking by your side, writing down every word you said Well, God has a record of every word you have spoken since the day you came into the world. There is a perfect copy of all your words, actions and thoughts recorded in heaven daily. Would you use idle and foolish talk if you knew you were to die to-morrow Well, friend, you may go before to-morrow, for your life is but a "vapor."

So, reader, from this hour refrain from all words that you can get along without. There are some words that are not wicked in themselves, some conversations that don't seem sinful, but they are uncalled for, useless; they are more than "Yea, yea," and "Nay, nay ;" therefore they are condemned. Jesus says, "Every idle word." So let us walk, talk and act as if Jesus walked by our side in a visible form. Amen.