Religious Word-Rationing
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of humility and the Holy Spirit in avoiding empty words and focusing on true worship and spiritual growth.
A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of 'religious word-rationing,' emphasizing that many religious individuals often use excessive words as a substitute for meaningful actions. He reflects on the tendency to speak eloquently in prayer meetings, where flowery language can overshadow genuine communication with God. Tozer encourages self-reflection and humility, advocating for a deeper awareness of God's presence to combat empty rhetoric. He highlights that true eloquence comes from the Holy Spirit, which inspires powerful words that lead to heartfelt responses and actions. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a reduction in empty words and an increase in authentic, Spirit-led communication.
Text
Most religious people have been guilty of multiplying words as substitutes for worthy deeds, and of all such the writer of these lines is probably the worst offender. But because we have offended is not sufficient reason for our going on to repeat the offense. It is better that we face the whole thing with self-effacing humility and try to correct our fault.
It remains only to be said that where shallow eloquence is most out of place and where it is oftenest found is the prayer meeting. The most halting speaker seems to become unusually fluent when he kneels to pray, especially when he has an audience. I have heard much flowery speech in the prayer room, and I suppose I have uttered a good deal of it. But again, there is no reason for continuing to utter words without wisdom. A conscious sense of the presence of God is a wonderful cure for empty talk, whether in the pulpit or in the pew.
When the Holy Spirit falls on a man, he is likely to become strangely eloquent. Out of the awe and silence of the soul comes an uprushing of power-filled words that move the hearts of the hearers to tears and to action. Such eloquence as this is something else; of this we do not here speak. Of this latter we need a great deal more, but we can do with a lot fewer empty words in religious circles.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Empty Words
- The Importance of Humility
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit's power to bring eloquence
- The difference between natural and Spirit-led eloquence
Key Quotes
“A conscious sense of the presence of God is a wonderful cure for empty talk, whether in the pulpit or in the pew.” — A.W. Tozer
“When the Holy Spirit falls on a man, he is likely to become strangely eloquent.” — A.W. Tozer
“Of this latter we need a great deal more, but we can do with a lot fewer empty words in religious circles.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to be mindful of our words and seek a conscious sense of God's presence in our prayers and sermons.
- Humility is essential in recognizing and correcting the fault of using empty words.
- Focusing on true worship and spiritual growth is more important than mere words or eloquence.