EVERY CARELESS WORD

“But I say to you
that for every idle word men may speak,
they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Matthew 12:36

Jesus spoke plainly about our idle words, yet His warning often goes unheeded. Jesus said that for every careless word, there will be a time of accounting in the day of judgment. We would expect Jesus to condemn profane and vile uses of the tongue, but idle words? Idle words are things we say carelessly, without concern for their impact on others. We too quickly assume that the sins of our tongue are minor sins, sins that God will overlook. Yet Jesus was fully aware of the devastating nature of our words, for every careless word that comes from our mouths gives a clear picture of the condition of our heart (Matthew 15:17-20).

The Book of Proverbs encourages us to speak less rather than risk saying something offensive (Proverbs 17:28). Oftentimes, when we have nothing significant to say, we are tempted to speak hurtful, careless words. Indeed, the more time we spend in idle chatter, the greater the likelihood that we will say things that are harmful. James cautioned believers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). We are in much less danger of saying something offensive when we are listening than when we are speaking!

As you pray today, take a few moments to think carefully about the words that come from your mouth. Christians should speak only words that uplift and bring grace to others (Ephesians 4:29). Ask the Holy Spirit to help you evaluate whether your words build up others or whether they destroy and hurt others.

Source:
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day; The Devotional and Journal”, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby ©1997. Entry May 29.

Additional Reading:
Be Reconciled
Iron Sharpens Iron
Prepare Your Mind