1. What righteous rules are given to govern deportment?
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of thy mouth..." Eph. 4:29
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Peter 1:15

2. What precious promise is written for those who follow these directions?
"...to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show salvation of God." Ps. 50:23

3. What is said of the happy condition of such a one?
"Whosoever keepth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles." Prov. 21:23

4. Does it show wisdom sometimes to say nothing?
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Prov. 17:28

5. What influence, have kind words, and their opposite, over others?
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. 15:1

6. Is there life-giving power in pure speech?
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life..." Prov. 15:4

7. How deeply does the tongue of evil wound?
"There is that speaketh like the piercing of a sword..." Prov. 12:18

8. What scathing words are spoken of the hypocritical tongue, and what sentence pronounced?
"Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah."
Ps. 52:4,5

9. Contrast the abiding future of the truthful, with the brief continuance of such as speak falsely.
"The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. 12:19

10. Are words a sure index of the heart?
"...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matt. 12:34

11. What is said of the man who offends not in word?
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2

12. What is said of the professed Christian whose language is unbecoming?
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue,... this man's religion is in vain."
James 1:26

13. Will our words have weight in the judgment?
"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. 12:37

14. By these forcible scriptures, what startling truth is established?
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Prov. 18:21

15. What should be the constant prayer of each heart?
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." Ps. 19:14

And must I be to judgment brought,
And answer in that day
For every vain and idle thought,
And every word I say?

Yes: every secret of my heart
Shall shortly be made known,
And I receive my just desert
For all that I have done.

Thou awful Judge of quick and dead,
The watchful power bestow:
So shall I to my ways take heed,
In all I speak or do.

Charles Wesley