Your Words...What You Have Said, What You Have Thought

Your Words You Have Said...What You Have Thought.

“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 idle 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 the idle words that come from our mouths give a lucid picture of the condition of our heart (Matt. 15:17–20). The Book of Proverbs encourages us to speak less rather than risk saying something offensive (Prov. 17:28). Often when we have nothing significant to say we are tempted to speak injurious, idle words. 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! Think carefully about the words that come from your mouth. Christians should speak only words that uplift and bring grace to others (Eph. 4:29). Do you need to speak less? Do you need to be more careful about the kind of humor you use? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you evaluate whether your words build up others or whether they destroy and hurt others. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

This thing about words.  Words we say, words we think about ourselves and others.  This line from Blackaby "We too quickly assume that the sins of our tongue are minor sins, sins that God will overlook."

How are you viewing your words? Your thoughts?  Do you think they are lesser sins than sins of commission or omission?  All sin is sin just the same in God's eyes.  He defined what sin is.  It's the basis of the judgment concerning sin. It's much of that sin that was heaped upon Jesus when He was on the cross.  Your words and my words.  

Idle words.  Our grumbling words and actions.  Our slighting people derisively. Our seeking others to join us in our anger issues. Our on and off again use of swear words.  Of our possible constant use of swear words.  Our gripping at others when, if we are honest, we are really gripping at God. Those hateful thoughts we have when someone cuts us off on the road. Those people who didn't get your order right.  There is a time and place for righteous anger.  But really no place for it outside of that context.  Righteous anger gives no free pass to swear either.  I agree with someone who once said that if you have to use swear words your vocabulary is too limited. 

We really ought to place the same penalty value on our idle thoughts and words as Christ does. That it's the same as the sin of murder. It's the same as the sin of being a thief and a robber.  It's the same as every sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. 

We need to do more in controlling our tongue and our minds.  The Bible speaks much about how wicked the tongue can be. Regardless of how you feel, remember that Scripture says Jesus searches the hearts and minds of everyone. 

He hated sin.  Hated evil.  He never sinned in His anger.  He showed not only His Disciples how to bridle their emotions, their tongues and mind, but us as well. 

I have a lot to give account for when I face my Savior over my thoughts and careless words.  

Our world tells people to withhold nothing. Express yourself. Let it all out.  Scripture says otherwise.  Cursing isn't right.  In Hell it's probably the most common means of expression among those finding themselves there.  Scripture says there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Gnashing of teeth can be a reference to raging at God.  They rage at God because He ruled against them. Found them guilty.  Those who are there weeping likewise are there because they were found guilty. Their sins, although many or few, put them there. There is but 1 greatest sin.  Rejection of Jesus Christ alone as Savior and Lord.  While anguish and paim grip them that are arriving minute by minute in Hell.  In Heaven is rejoicing over both the arrival of those who did come to Christ as well as celebrating over souls who have come to Christ. Scripture says blessed are those whose sins are forgiven and remembered no more.  

We have many a reason to speak and think the ways we do. But we have to discipline ourselves not to sin in our thoughts and actions.  We will not be able to hide our intentions from whom we have to do.  Jesus will not ask why did you say or think concerning someone or something. He already knows.  I have plenty to already be ashamed of in my life. I need to try harder to not add to that. You need to do the same. 

My greatest downfall in all of this is my sarcasm. I am more fluent in that than English.  I have had thoughts and have inadvertently said and done things that have hurt those people whom I love because of my not thinking about the ramifications.  I have idle thoughts that are not helpful at all in my walk with Jesus.  There's no place for what I say or do in my life for those things that hurt others.  Proverbs addresses a lot in terms of this.

What are you going to do from this moment forward?  What are you going to do to address your thoughts and words?  It's interesting in Ephesians it mentions the Helmet of Salvation. I have to wonder if that helmet has a face shield to cover the mouth.