The following content is part two of an extract taken from the spiritual journal of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It was published first in ‘Letters to my Grandson’, by Geoffrey Thomas (Day One) © 2025, and a month later in ‘Baptised with Heavenly Power’, by Philip H. Eveson (Christian Focus) © 2025. ET re-publish with permission of Christian Focus Publications. ET apologise to Geoffrey Thomas for failure to credit him last month, having been unaware of the inclusion of the spiritual journal in his book. A full explanation of how he came to decipher the journal – and how it came to appear in two books published within a month of each other – is found on the opposite page.
Journal for February 5th, 1930 [continued]
1. I can control my tongue and refrain from these nasty, cutting criticisms of my fellows. The fact that there are definitely ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ should make no difference. The fact that they are wrong is no justification. Who am I that I should judge? What right have I to express any opinion? To do so, far from bringing me nearer to God, I know full well drives me further away from Him. It ensnares my spirit and makes it impossible for me to concentrate upon things spiritual. My mind wanders after such ideas while I am reading my Bible and even while I am reading other books – light books such as biographies. I must stop this bad habit. It does me definite harm and it harms others also. Oh! Lord strengthen me in this resolve and help me to curb my tongue.
2. I must also control my mind and my imagination in this very same respect. To do (1) will be the greatest help in attempting this but, still, it is far from being sufficient. If I still dwell on these things, though I may not mention them, the trouble will still be there and it will poison my spirit. My mind must be controlled also, therefore.
This I can do, for I have already done it! I must turn upon these thoughts and reject them as poison. I must turn to Christ, who alone can save me from this. Dwelling on Him and on thoughts concerning Him alone can truly save me from this bad habit. If I read my Bible as I should, if I give my time and devotion in reading and thought, if my mind is fully occupied with things that are ‘excellent and of good report’ there will be no room for these other thoughts. Above all, if I am thus brought to realise my own unworthiness and sinfulness, I shall not be so ready to criticise and condemn others. I shall realise that I need all the criticism and advice that I have to offer, myself.
