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An Index to Character, October 13
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 5:4
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A man’s character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature
of his conversation.... Those who jest and joke and indulge in cheap
conversation place themselves upon a level where Satan can gain access
to them.... When you associate together, you may be a help and a blessing
one to another if you surround yourselves with an influence that is divine.
But there are those who have grave defects, which are gaining a deeper
hold upon them and which if not overcome will drive the Spirit of God
out of the heart.... Jesting and joking may please a class of cheap minds,
and yet the influence of this kind of conduct is destructive to spirituality. I
speak to you as a class and also as individuals: Guard your words. Let
sobriety and sound common sense characterize your conversation. Do
not trifle with the purity and nobility of your souls by condescending to
indulgence in stale jokes, and in cultivating habits of trifling conversation.
The requirement of God is explicit on these points, and presents before
you the obligations that rest upon you as children of God. The Word of
God says, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Colossians 3:17
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O that every one of our youth would realize the evil of foolish conver-
sation, and correct the habit of speaking idle words! Let every one who
has indulged in this sin repent of it, confess it before God, and put it far
from him. In speaking foolish words, you have dishonored the name of
Christ; for you have misrepresented Him in character. No word of guile
was found in His lips, no word of prevarication or falsehood. The people
that are described as making up the one hundred and forty-four thousand,
have the Father’s name written in their foreheads, and of them it is said:
“In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the
throne of God.”
Revelation 14:5
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