“I am determined” said an old saint, “never to speak of a man’s virtues to his face, or of his faults behind his back.” Noble determination! But, alas! alas! how little it is acted upon. We generally reverse the order; we flatter people to their face and blacken them behind their back. The Lord deliver us from this sinful and shameful practice! It is most assuredly of the devil. We want to be more faithful in speaking to people—more gracious in speaking of them. If we see anything wrong in a person let us go directly to him and speak plainly; and if we have nothing good to say of him, let us graciously draw the curtain of silence around him. This would save a world of mischief; it would prevent untold sorrow and heart-burning. “Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11)
(C H Mackintosh)
Golden Nugget Number 357
Golden Nuggets are published by Saville Street Distribution, Venture, Princes Esplanade, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8QD UK
