Conversation

by E. LEWIS | Category: General | May 1956

"Then they that feared the LORD spake one with another and the LORD hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD and that thought upon His name" (Malachi 3.16).

God in His word gives abundant evidence of His interest in the conversation or manner of life of His children, which should be good (1 Peter 3.16), chaste (1 Peter 3.2), honest (1 Peter 2.12), holy (2 Peter 3.11), worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1.27).

From the Malachi scripture we can be sure that these things characterized the conversation of them that feared the LORD. God, reverently speaking, stopped! listened! and nothing less would do than a record be made of what He heard. Probably we find such a company in Luke 2 whom Anna (the prophetess who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day) knew, and spake of Him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (verse 38).

As young disciples we need to follow the example of Anna and speak of Him and of all the things of God.

If we revere and love God our hearts will burn within us when we talk to one another about God's beloved Son.

But is this our experience? or rather, Is it a relief after assembly gatherings to turn to some other subject? How often our conversation after gospel meetings betrays our indifference to the message which has been delivered. Let us not be surprised at the apathy which the unsaved show to God's message, if we whose souls are lightened have not our conversation seasoned with the salt of grace (Colossians 4.6).How rare today are the expressions of concern in the conversation of believers, when at the close of a gospel meeting there is "no response." Nor can we excuse ourselves because we may be distressed

by the filthy conversation of the wicked. Lot was! and when he was aroused by the angels of the imminent danger Sodom was in, he tried to converse with his loved ones, but he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one that mocked (Genesis 19.14).

Of course we should be grieved when we hear wicked conversation but our grief should be even greater when there is no holy conversation (2 Peter 2. ii, A.V.).

"Talking," is all very well, we might argue. Is it not better to "live the life" ? Perhaps you have noticed that where the A.V. reads conversation the R.V. reads manner of lift which is the true meaning of the Greek word; however, we are assured that the persons who live aright will talk aright. But is there no respite, must we always -be indulging in such conversation?

Let us find the answer in God's Word: "Thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6.7). This will be natural to us if we allow Christ and not the world to fill our hearts, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. God is making a record today and it will one day prove "between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not" (Malachi 3.18).

E. LEWIS | May 1956
General