What We Say Does Matter

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matt. 12:34-37

Talk is cheap

I’ve said it many times myself.  What we DO is important.  Scriptures tells us that faith without works is dead.  However, it is clear from this passage that what we say does matter.

Ultimately, we will give an account for every careless word spoken.  In this day and age of so much negative and hate-filled speech in the media and on social media, I need to be careful with my words.  Ephesians reminds us how we should and should not speak;

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.’  Jesus said I will be justified and condemned by my words, I need to let that one sink in for a bit.

However, rather than just avoiding careless talk, I  need to be proactive and purposeful in my speech.  Is the majority of my speech peppered with thanksgiving as suggested in Ephesians 5:4?  Do my words encourage, uplift and point people to who they are in Christ?  Or do I get caught up like so many others in the debate and dialogue of the world? Do I  use my words to ‘win my position’?  Do my words stand out in the crowd as words of hope, encouragement and life. Or are my words mixed in with all the over vain babble around me?

Jesus, you were never afraid to speak the truth.  You were constantly tested by those around you and yet you never stopped speaking the promise, hope and love of the Gospel of the Kingdom.  Make me more like you.  Help me to slow down, listen to the Holy Spirit and speak the Father’s words over all around me.

Speaking Slowly,

Pastor Dale