These verses in Matthew 12:34-37 were brought to my remembrance today.
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. KJV
The word "idle" here is the Greek word "argos", which means: inactive, lazy, useless, shunning the labor which one ought to perform, unprofitable, pernicious. The Dictionary definition for pernicious is: having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. The synonyms are even more informative: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, malevolent, malignant, noxious, poisonous, corrupting. Understand that this verse is NOT speaking of someone saying curse words, but of a born again believer saying anything that is contrary to the Word of God! The universe was created by the WORDS SPOKEN by our Creator! WE have been given the powerful opportunity, and the awesome responsibility, to speak God's Word into this world! When James instructed that we be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (James 1:19), it was for the purpose of our taking the time to hear from Holy Spirit what Words SHOULD be spoken, then to speak them into the situation at hand. Now lets look at Matthew 12:34-37 from the Amplified Bible:
34 You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. AMP
Yes, we will give account! NOT for the purpose of condemnation, there is now NO condemnation for those who are IN CHRIST (Romans 8:1), but for the purpose of rewarding us for those things that have been well done! Those things that have been done in obedience to the Word of God and the Spirit of God, for the right reason and motive. We have been given the ability to speak the Word into being! When we DO, then HE confirms that Word with signs, wonders and miracles. Captives are set free, unbelievers become believers, and our GOD is exalted for all to see and be drawn to Him! Let's make the determined purpose and solid commitment to make our words count! Refuse to speak anything, about yourself or anyone else, that is not in line with the powerful Word of God! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Say The Word":
Shalom in Him!
