Editorial September 25, 1926 Issue

Right Conversation

Albert F. Gilmore

Christ Jesus especially emphasized the importance of refraining from idle thoughts and words. He made it very clear that out of evil thoughts spring evil deeds; also he made it plain that all idle words, as well as wicked acts, are to be accounted for. "But I say unto you," he declared, "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Could instruction be more direct, or admonition more conclusive?

There is but one course, then, for those to follow who would be obedient to the teachings of the Master. Completely to abandon indulgence in idle words—gossip, meaningless conversations—is the only course that fulfills this ideal. Why? Because idle words are but the expression of idle thoughts, thoughts which emanate not from the divine Mind, the source of all good, but which, having their origin in the so-called mortal mind, relate only to the activities and claims of material existence, hence have no basis in fact, in spiritual truth.

How complete an index to our lives did Christ Jesus conceive our words to be! Do we give proper heed to this important phase of our experience? Are we so guarding our words, all our conversation, that we are willing to be judged thereby? If not, then we fall short of the standard which the Master set for his followers. Serious consideration of this subject will establish one of two things: either we shall as a result undertake to guard our thoughts, to think and say only that which is true and worthy, or, unwilling so to do, show ourselves careless as to our mental state and our conversation, a state which betokens indifference to our spiritual progress. Between these two attitudes lies that which distinguishes the earnest disciple of the Christ, eager for the light of Truth, from the materialist, who, basing his motives not on an understanding of God and His Christ but on the belief that matter and its laws are real, is quite satisfied to go the way of personal sense, regardless of the outcome of such a course.

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