Those Careless Words
The Bible, from beginning to end, speaks regularly about the need to control our words. James 3 is a classic text that helps us know how difficult, but also how necessary, it is to control our words. Additionally, many of the Proverbs deal with our words.
But Jesus Himself may have given the most direct and potent teaching on the use of our words. After He said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), He stated:
“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.” (Matthew 12:36-37)
I am intrigued by the word “careless” in that passage; which the King James Version translates as “idle.” If I am going to be judged by those types of words, I need to know what Jesus meant when He gave that teaching.
The word translated “careless” carries a lot of meaning, but there are two that help us grasp how difficult this is, but also how much we need to work on avoiding these types of words.
First, the word can mean words that are “not at work” (which is why the KJV has “idle”). In other words, these are words we say just to be saying something! They do not add anything because they are not thought through. This means we do not have the right to just fire off words of anger, bitterness, or even just ignorance and then claim, “Well, I just wasn’t thinking.”
But also, the word can mean “unprofitable.” When we speak (or write or type), are we saying things that are profiting the other person; that are bringing benefit into the other person’s life. It is not that each conversation we have must include some thesis-level discussion. But it does mean that we should add value to another person’s life by what we say to them.
So, how does that play itself out in our lives? It should help us think about every word we say–or every word we send. Do we just fire off comments on Facebook, not really being concerned if what we are saying is helpful and beneficial and godly? Are we willing to put words in our snapchat conversations that are unwholesome or just mindless, simply because we think it is “no big deal?” Do we tweet (or retweet or “like”) things that contain vile language or crude jokes?
But then, in our daily conversations, do we use words that are encouraging, godly, and beneficial? Even if we are talking about something that does not matter in the grand scheme of things, we still need to guard every word we say and use those words to build up and not tear down, or not just fill some dead air.
If we are not taking this seriously, Jesus says that we will be judged for every single one of those words we use. So, maybe we need to actually think before we speak. This is not just serious business. It is eternal business.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
