The Three Sieves

From “Edges of His Ways “by Amy Carmichael.


Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

All of us who have tried to remember these three sieves, and have used them, know what a help they are. We are sorry when we ever forget them, and we are very grateful when we are reminded of them in time to keep us from saying something untrue, unkind or unnecessary.

Sometimes when I listen to hymn-singing I think of the words about the fig tree and the vine and the fountain. (James 3:12) “Can the fig tree….bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” Can the lips which have sung these beautiful, loving words speak those other words? But they sometimes do.

Perhaps these three sieves will help to keep some words from being spoken that would grieve the Spirit of love and hurt someone whom our Lord loves.

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

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