Taming the Tongue

DELLA M. WHITNEY

In Ecclesiastes we read, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." These words impressed one reader very forcibly. How often have words been spoken hastily that we would fain recall! In fact, much of the inharmony experienced by us may be traced to the voicing of error. The great value of thoughtful, right speaking has always been recognized. An old adage says, "Count ten before you speak;" and while this may be a helpful thing to do, it does not set a standard for the quality of our thoughts and words. In order to speak constructively, the source of the spoken word, which is true thinking, must be realized.

James says, "The tongue can no man tame." This terse statement implies that the tongue cannot be tamed by human will. We must turn to a higher power for this accomplishment. We need not be discouraged if egotism or self-assertion causes us to stumble at times, for the tongue can be tamed, subdued, and made obedient to Truth in proportion as we understand and maintain man's real, spiritual status.

Christian Science teaches that God, Spirit, is the only creator, and that man, His image and likeness, is spiritual. This leads us to see that real conversation is spiritual, that which declares good. We are admonished in the Bible, "Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ."

The one who is striving to see as real only the spiritual creation, including spiritual man, does not repeat erring, mortal statements, but endeavors at all times to destroy or correct anything that would tend to injure or disrupt the harmony of friends, churches, or communities. Our Leader says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 346), "It is a rule in Christian Science never to repeat error unless it becomes requisite to bring out Truth."

Among the harmful phases of wrong speaking is criticism. In order to keep conscious of the spiritual power requisite to solve problems and to make progress in Christian Science, one's consciousness must be kept free from destructive criticism, malice, and envy. Wrong thoughts and statements regarding others are indeed stumblingblocks to ourselves. Taming the tongue resolves itself into a process of spiritualizing our thinking, and this is accomplished through faithful study and application of the truths learned from the Bible studied in conjunction with the Christian Science textbook.

Christ Jesus always spoke with great wisdom. It is recorded that at times he refused to answer his questioners, apparently realizing that mere words would be useless in dealing with prejudiced thought. When he was brought into the council and asked if he was the Christ, he said, "If I tell you, ye will not believe." All records of Jesus' conversation show that he was governed by God in the statements he made.

In studying the writings of our Leader, one marvels at her wonderful choice of words and statements regarding the truth, showing that her thinking was governed by divine Mind. As we endeavor faithfully to purify our thinking and our conversation, we become shining examples to others, and also help to lessen the burdens of the world. On page 339 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,—silence for the space of half an hour."

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The Celestial Visitants

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