Berean Studies / Ber08 - Evil speaking and Evil Surmising

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Single Click a triangle below to see the references CT Russell selected for the associated question. The study questions (with the references) are also included as an attached Adobe PDF file at the bottom of this page.

1. What is evil speaking?

2. How prevalent is this fault among even those who profess to be Christians?

R2443 col. 2 ¶2 - Looking at the Apostle's statement from this stand-point, we see clearly that his charge is applicable to Christian people of to-day to an alarming extent. How many there are who do injury with their tongues to their fellow-creatures, who use the same tongue in offering praise to God. We know of no evil to which God's consecrated people are more exposed than to this one. With many it is as natural to gossip as to breathe: they do it unconsciously. We have even known people who took cognizance of the Scriptural injunction against slander and evil-speaking, who were so utterly confused on the subject, and so unaware of their own conduct, that they would declare their horror of speaking a slander in the very same breath in which they utter slanders. We mention this in proof that this evil is so ingrained in fallen human nature as to elude the notice of the new nature sometimes for years--and thus escapes the correction in righteousness which the Lord's Word directs, and which all who are truly the Lord's people desire.

3. What is the power of the tongue?

4. What is meant by a ‘tongue set on fire of gehenna’?

5. What are the baneful influences of evil speaking, and what are some of the excuses and subterfuges offered by the fallen ...

6. What is evil surmising and what is its relation to evil speaking?

7. What are ‘secret faults,’ and of what two kinds are they?

8. Is an evil suggestion a sin, and how does it become a secret fault?

9. What is a ‘presumptuous sin,’ and when does a secret fault become a presumptuous sin?

10. What is the ‘great transgression’ to which these sins lead?

11. How may we purify and keep our hearts pure from these sins?

12. How is the Lord judging us?

13. Why should we render to God a daily account of any ‘idle’ (pernicious) words?

14. How are words the index of our hearts?

15. What does purity of heart signify?

16. What is the importance of a pure heart?

17. How may purity of heart be attained?

18. How do we know our motive is pure, since ‘the heart is deceitful above all things’?

19. What is the relation between our conscience and purity of heart?

20. Might telling the truth be evil speaking?

21. Is it always necessary to tell all we know about every affair?

22. Is an uncomplimentary remark evil speaking?

23. Would it be evil speaking to criticize doctrines publicly uttered?

24. What is a slanderer?

25. What is ‘false witness,’ and is it possible to bear false witness without uttering a word?

26. How should we deal with a brother or sister who begins to relate an evil report?

27. How should we deal with persons of the world who do evil speaking?

28. Is evil speaking against a brother in Christ more culpable than against one of the world?

29. In order to avoid gossip, slander and evil speaking, what is the only proper and Scriptural way of redress for grievanc...

30. How should we deal in a matter of evil speaking against an Elder?

31. Why is ‘a bridled tongue’ a chief essential in an Elder?

32. How may we ask advice and not do evil speaking?

33. What is the relation between ‘busy- bodying’ and evil speaking?

34. How should the Golden Rule help us to overcome evil speaking and evil surmising?

35. What is the sole exception to this rule, ‘Speak evil of no man’?

36. What inspiration should we receive from Jesus’ example?

37. How can we overcome evil surmisings and evil speaking?

38. What additional thoughts are found in index of Heavenly Manna under ‘Evil’?

39. What special experiences and practices have helped you to overcome evil surmisings to some extent?

40. As we realize how insidious this foe of the ‘new creature,’ what should be our daily prayer?

Psalms 19:12-14 - Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (13) Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.