Article December 13, 1930 Issue

"A wholesome tongue"

PETER B. BIGGINS

As the Christian Scientist proceeds on his journey Spiritward, he recognizes clearly the power and value of right coversation. God speed the day when we shall be so wide-awake to the truths of spiritual being that we shall at once detect and dismiss the lying suggestions of the so-called carnal mind and refuse to voice them! A wonderful accession of light, happiness, and healing power will be ours as we do this more habitually and effectually. The wholesome habit of speaking kindly, constructively, and charitably is fruitful both to one's self and to others. Solomon wisely said, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life."

The firm refusal to voice error gratuitously is an important step in destroying error, for thus there follows the increasing ability to voice the truth "with signs following." It goes without saying that a pianist who has been taught wrongly, or who has acquired wrong habits through lack of teaching, must labor patiently to correct the wrong method and replace it with the right. Why, then, should we grudge the effort needed to check wrong thinking and talking when we consider that right thought and speech bring to others, as well as to ourselves, such blessings in health and harmony? If we are in any doubt as to the importance of right speech, we need but recall the words of the Apostle James, "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."

It is always safe to keep in view the spiritual fact that man is now the image and likeness of God, and to strive to express more and more of the ideal man in our lives. The earnest Christian Scientist is hastening on to a fuller demonstration of this perfect ideal, and he rejoices in every bit of evidence of the fact that his neighbor is doing the same. The progressive conquest of evil-speaking is an important aid in this spiritual advancement.

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