Every Idle Word

Opps! I didn't mean to say that!

Recently, I've been thinking about how we use our tongue. NO, I'm not talking about sticking it out at people or using it to lick frozen light post. But how do we use it in our speech. Do you use your tongue to bless people or to curse people? Do you use your tongue to tell people how bad everything is, or how good everything is.

Matthew 12 says:
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

This passage tells us that if you want to look at a person's heart, then listen to what they say. Listen to what they say when they're tired. Listen to what they say when they're irritated. Listen to what they say when they hit their thumb. Listen to what they say when their mad at their spouse. Listen to what they say when they've had wrong done to them.

Every careless word will have to be accounted for on the day of judgment.

Today I was reading about an incident of road rage. One driver was upset because a car wasn't going fast enough in the passing lane. Finally the opportunity came when he could pass - on the right hand side. He spent his time mouthing words through the windows at the inconsiderate driver. Then he cut his car back over to the left hand lane - to teach them a lesson. What a lesson! He clipped the car causing it to move into the oncoming traffic. When it was all over, he was responsible for causing the death of two teenage girls in the backseat.

What was he saying as he passed the car? Was it words of blessing or cursing? Every idle word!

Jesus believed our speech was important. I don't think he was talking so much about "bad words". I think it was more like "bad sentences". Things like, "You'll never amount to anything!" or "You never do anything right!" or "I wish you'd go away and die!" Sentences like these slash and hurt. They murder the hearer. They crush the spirit.

I wonder what would be the result if this next year, we purposed in our hearts to guard every idle word - to only speak the truth in love. One pastor I admire tried being extra nice one day in all his conversation. He only spoke words up joy and goodness. He thought he was being overboard but a funny thing happened. His staff, his secretary, the custodians at the church and others he met that day - all had a much better attitude. When he got home, he continued in this manner and then his young son made the statement, "I like this daddy!!!!"

Will anyone hear our speech and make similar comments about us this next year? I can only hope and pray!

God bless
Pastor John