Unbridled speech.
"Our lips are our own," etc. If it be true, as we often say, that "actions speak louder than words," it is also true that speech is a kind of action, and that words often speak more than the speaker means to utter. Light, thoughtless words, void of serious meaning, sometimes flash a light into the inmost chamber of the heart; they could not have been spoken if kindness, good sense, justice, humility, dwelt and ruled there. Profuse professions are often interpreted by the rule of contrary. When Judas said, "Hail, Master!' he branded himself as a traitor, hypocrite, murderer. The text may not mean that these words are audibly uttered. The Bible speaks often of what men say in their heart. The temper and spirit which go with an unbridled tongue are expressed thus: "Our lips are our own."
I. THIS IS A GREAT MISTAKE. Responsibility is not annihilated or lessened by our refusing to acknowledge it. We are responsible for our words as much as for the rest of our life. Our lips are not our own, because we ourselves are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 6:20; Psalms 100:3, Revised Version). God "giveth richly all things to enjoy;" but he can give nothing away; all is his still, and cannot cease to be his (1 Chronicles 29:14; Romans 12:1). Responsibility to use God's gifts in a way pleasing to him and to his glory increases with the preciousness of the gift. Who can reckon the value of speech? That without which reason would be not only dumb, but blind, deaf, paralyzed—the chief bond of human society, the instrument of truth, instruction, command, persuasion, comfort, converse. All life is "in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). For good or for evil, even a short speech often long outlives the lips that uttered it. Not only "what is written remains." Books and writings decay and perish, while "winged words" fly from land to land, and live on through ages. A great trust is man's gift of speech.
II. A MORE COMMON MISTAKE THAN MAY BE THOUGHT. Thus boldly, coarsely spoken, it is indeed the language of atheism. But think of the enormous amount of idle, unprofitable, unkind, unjust, insincere talk poured forth every day; not to speak of what is wilfully false, impure, or malignant. What does all this mean but utter forgetfulness of responsibility to God for our use of this great gift? Passing sad, too, it is to think how it runs to waste; of all the words of counsel, comfort, kindness, prayer, praise, that might be spoken, but are not. The dulness of conscience on this point is astonishing. You may meet often with Christians who positively pride themselves on "speaking their mind," no matter at what cost to others. People who would think it unpardonably wicked to strike a hard blow with the fist, think nothing of giving a stab with the tongue, which perhaps years will not heal (James 3:6).
III. It is not enough that we see the sin of unbridled speech, the reckless impiety of supposing "our lips are our own." Let us take to heart OUR RESPONSIBILITY to our brother man, above all, to our Saviour, for our use of this noble faculty and priceless gift. "The fruit of our lips" (Hebrews 13:15) may be a "sacrifice" in other ways as well as praise. Remember our Lord's warning (Matthew 12:36, Matthew 12:37). Meditate on what we owe to the words of those who have taught, counselled, cheered, and helped us; to the words of inspired men; above all, to the words of the Lord Jesus. "A word spoken in season, how good is it!" A kind word, a faithful rebuke, an honest avowal of faith and conviction, a manly protest against impure or ill-natured speech, may be the turning-point for good of some young life. "Let your speech be alway with grace" (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:30, where note the remarkable reference to the Holy Spirit; Psalms 19:14).