Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Indeed we are hesistant, therefore we must encourage ourselves, Mal. 3:16 “They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another.” A gracious person has not only piety only in his heart—but also in his tongue, Psalm 37:30. “The law of God is in his heart, and his tongue talks of judgment:” he drops holy words as pearls. It is the fault of Christians, that they do not in company provoke themselves to good conversation: it is a sinful modesty; there is much visiting—but they do not give one another’s souls a visit. In worldly things their tongue is as the pen of a ready writer—but in matters of piety, it is as if their tongue did cleave to the roof of their mouth.

What should be more natural for Christian to discuss among themselves, but Heaven? The world is a great Inn; we are guests in this Inn. Travelers, when they are met in their Inn, do not spend all their time in speaking about their Inn; they are to lodge there but a few hours, and are gone; but they are speaking of their home, and the country wither they are traveling. So when we meet together, we should not be talking only about the world; we are to leave this presently; but we should talk of our heavenly country, Heb. 11:16.

So that we might encourage ourselves to good conversation, let us consider these:

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45. Our conversation demonstrates what is in the heart. As the looking-glass shows what the face is—whether it be fair or foul; just so, our words show what our heart is. Useless conversation reveals a light, feathery heart. Gracious conversation reveals a gracious heart. The water in the conduit shows what the spring is.

Holy conversation is very edifying. The apostle bids us “edify one another,” 1 Thess 5:11. And how more than in this way? Godly conversation enlightens the mind when it is ignorant; settles it when it is wavering. A good life adorns piety; godly conversation propagates it.

Gracious conversation makes us resemble Christ. His words were perfumed with holiness: “grace was poured into his lips,” Psalm 45:2. He spoke to the admiration of all: his hands worked miracles and his tongue spoke oracles, Luke 4:22. “All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” Christ never came into any company—but he introduced good conversation. Levi made him a feast, Luke 5:29. and Christ feasted him with holy conversation. When he came to Jacob’s well, he presently speaks of the “water of life,” Jude 4. The more holy our conversation is, the more we are like Christ. Should not the members be like the head?

God takes special notice of every good word we speak when we meet. “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.” Malachi 3:16. As God has a bottle for the tears of his people—so he has a book in which he writes down all their good speeches, and will make honorable mention of them at the last day. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

Holy conversation will be a means to bring Christ into our company. The two disciples were communing of the death and sufferings of Christ; and while they were speaking, Jesus Christ came among them, Luke 24:15. “While they communed together, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.” When men entertain bad conversation, Satan draws near, and makes one of the company; but when they have holy and gracious conversation, Jesus Christ draws near, and wherever he comes, he brings a blessing along with him.