Cheerfulness With Sobriety

[Daily Devotional]

Cheerfulness With Sobriety 

     Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my
lips shall be right things. Prov. 8:6.  

     [EARLY MORNING DIARY ENTRY, JULY 12, 1897.] I ask that the Holy
Spirit shall control my thoughts through the day. I plead for wisdom in
judgment, clearness of brain, and understanding, that I may see the
treasures in the Word of God and bring out the precious truth  in the
simplest language. Thus did the greatest Teacher the world ever knew.  

     I feel more and more impressed with the greatness of the subject of
the Lord's soon appearing in the clouds of heaven, with power and great
glory. This faith moves me greatly to observe due solemnity at all times
and in all places, but while I enjoin upon myself and others to be
sober, they are not to cherish sadness and gloom. . . .   

     While we are not to be gloomy, but cheerful and happy, there is to
be no silliness, but a sobriety in harmony with our faith. Words and
actions form character. Therefore our words should be clean, pure,
simple, yet elevated. The gift of speech is a valuable talent, and the
Lord has no pleasure in hearing low, cheap, degrading nonsense which
tastes strongly of vice and revelry. No Christian should condescend to
imitate and catch such habits from another. . . . These evil, silly
words are discordant notes and contribute to the happiness of no one.
They are a detriment to spirituality. The Word of God forbids them.  

     "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth
good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth
evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For  by
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be
condemned" (Matt. 12:35-37).  

     "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in
your hearts?" (Matt. 9:4). Jesus reads the hearts and minds and
thoughts. . . . There is a Witness present, tracing every word spoken
and every act performed, good or evil.  

>From That I May Know Him - Page 141