Sinking Ships

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the
day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.  Matthew 12: 36-27

God takes notice of every word we say, even that which we ourselves do not notice.  Vain, idle, impertinent talk is displeasing to God, which tends not to any good purpose, is not good to any use of edifying, it is the product of a vain and trifling heart.

We must shortly account for these idle words; they will be produced in evidence against us, to prove us unprofitable servants, that have not improved the faculties of reason and speech, which are part of the talents we are entrusted with.

If we repent not of our idle words, and our account for them be not balanced by the blood of Christ, we are undone.  The constant tenour of our discourse, according as it is gracious or not gracious, will be an evidence for us, or against us, at the great day.  Those who seemed to be religious, but bridled not their tongue, will then be found to have put a cheat upon themselves with a vain religion.  

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  Proverbs 18:21

(Matthew Henry)

Balanced by the Blood of Christ; that is key with this verse and what Matthew Henry is saying.  He is not talking about losing your salvation because of the words you speak--but it does produce either good or bad results in your life.

Here's what idle words sound like in my life at times:

The alarm goes off in the morning and our coffee is already waiting for us.  I like my coffee strong in the morning-it's the only time I drink any.  My husband used to like strong coffee but now he says that I make the coffee too strong.

After breakfast this morning I made a second pot and purposely didn't put as much coffee in it, thinking I was making it weak enough for his tastes.   He took one sip and put water in it--I couldn't believe it.  

"What are you doing?  I made it with less coffee!"

"I know, I tasted it--no problem I just add a little water to it."

"This is ridiculous, I'm getting the other coffee pot up here and will start making two pots." (Idle - because my intentions were really not intended to make his life easier at that point)

"No, there is no reason for that--I don't mind putting water in my cup.  You make it the way you like it."   

Now his halo is shining and mine has fallen to the floor--and yes, he really is that sweet.

"No, because then you will come out the good guy and I will be the selfish one."  (wow-probably a topic for another post entirely on that statement)

He goes into the room to study his Sunday School lesson--I thought I heard angels singing!

"I'm just going to stop drinking coffee altogether." (Idle-because I have no intention whatsoever to stop drinking my morning coffee)

Now I did stop after that statement because I could feel the Holy Spirit telling me to get a grip and stop spouting off.  Which I did--there was a day that this would have turned into a major battle--but I let it go.

We are to measure the words that we speak and listen to what we are saying.  Our words are a very good barometer of the condition of our heart.  When we immerse ourselves in God's Word and seek His Spirit's direction--our ears become sensitive to the words that we speak.  There is a keenness that develops to what we are saying.

Loose Lips Will Sink Your Ship!