[388 words]
Robert Benchly once remarked, “Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.” No matter how great your vocabulary may be, sometimes, the right thing to say is nothing.
First, if you cannot speak with purity, the best thing that you can say, no matter how large your vocabulary may be, is nothing. We read, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
Second, if you cannot speak with sweetness, the best thing that you can say, no matter how rich your vocabulary may be, is nothing. We read, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Third, if you cannot speak with grace, the best thing that you can say, no matter how extensive your vocabulary may be, is nothing. Paul wrote, “let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).
Fourth, if you cannot speak with self-control, the best thing that you can say, no matter how full your vocabulary may be, is nothing. We read, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8).
Fifth, if you cannot speak with truthfulness, the best thing that yon can say, no matter how huge your vocabulary may be, is nothing. We read, ”lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds”(Colossians 3:9).
Sixth, if you cannot speak with love, the best thing that you can say, no matter how big your vocabulary may be, is nothing. Paul wrote, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
Obviously, I could go on and on. However, I believe that you get my point. Let’s make sure that what we say is what it needs to be. If it isn’t, the best thing that we can do is say nothing.
Wade Webster
Church of Christ
Southhaven, MS