0112 WATCH YOUR WORDS

WATCH YOUR WORDS

Today we are reading chapter 12 of Matthew, which contains several pithy and controversial sayings of Jesus: He has a couple of confrontations about the Sabbath, and he says, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” The Pharisees claim that Jesus casts out demons because he has power from the prince of demons, and Jesus declares that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. Jesus calls them a brood of vipers and says that people will give account for every careless word they speak. They ask him for a sign, and he says no sign will be given but the sign of Jonah. Jesus teaches that an unclean spirit which has been cast out will return to the person with seven others, worse than itself. Jesus declares that those followers who are with him are his family. Among all those sayings, let’s focus on this one: 

“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

These words are sobering, and strike me as a bit of a surprise. I mean, I thought it was our actions, the bad things we do (or the good we fail to do), that would lead to our judgment. 

But to be judged for words, and not just actions, takes the scrutiny of God to a new level. I guess that’s why Paul tells the Ephesians (5:4) “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” I mean, foolish talk and crude joking, those are just words, right? But we must watch even what we laugh at, what we listen to, how we participate in crude or disrespectful humor, even. Wow.

This is why Jesus can say so clearly that every careless word is subject to judgment. In this case, it was Pharisees claiming that Jesus’ power came from the devil instead of from God. They were blaspheming the Holy Spirit by assigning God’s works to the devil. They might argue, “But they are only words! I didn’t really mean them!”

But James says, “if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” 

He writes, “the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness . . . and set on fire by hell. . . . no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. . . . From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.”

Of course, as I reflect on it further, I realize that it is not just our actions or our words that will be subject to judgment. It is our very hearts themselves. Solomon spent a lifetime pursuing wisdom, and he records his journey in Ecclesiastes. Here is how he ends his journey and the book: “Here is the end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” ~Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Even the secret things, our inner thoughts and solo sins, are open to God’s judgment. God is ready to judge the living and the dead. The Judge is standing at the door! Our mouths speak what is in our hearts, and our hearts are the part of us to give account before God in the day of judgment.

So, what hope is there? If I am judged by my thoughts and my words, even my careless words about which I would say, “I didn’t mean it,” then who can stand in the day of judgment?

No one can. But thanks be to God for his indescribable grace. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. His grace is such that there is no sin, no person so far enslaved, that it is not covered by the blood of Christ.

We have only to receive it. With our mouths we confess Christ Jesus as Lord and we are saved! By our words we are condemned, to be sure. But Jesus says by our words we are also justified! Thanks be to God.