Idle Words
How careful are you with your words?
Verse of the Day
‘And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.’
Today’s Devotional
This is one of the teachings of Jesus that brings me to a full stop. I am guilty of being careless with my words. And while I have improved in this area as I have gotten closer to God, when I read these two verses I am highly aware of my need for grace, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit’s help to guard my tongue.
What do you consider to be “idle words”? Enduringwords.com says, “Adam Clarke said that the sense of the ancient Greek word used for an idle word is “a word that does nothing, that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it.” If this is true, many preachers might find themselves guilty of this sin.”
Many preachers? I would say that all of us are guilty of saying words that do nothing.
I would never let a toddler play with an automatic weapon or a real sword. They have no awareness of the danger. Yet we have a potentially dangerous weapon at our disposal all day everyday. Our tongue. Again I remind us Proverbs 18:21. “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
I have no wisdom to share here except what comes directly from the Word. May these holy words be our prayers, our warning, and our cry to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we are led to say only things that bring honor and glory to the Lord.
‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Psalms 19:14)
‘May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you,’ (Psalms 137:6)
‘But Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth.”’ (Numbers 23:12)
‘Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.’ (Job 9:20)
‘And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!’ (James 3:10)
‘Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.’ (Ephesians 4:29)
‘Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.’ (2 Timothy 2:16)
‘Take control of what I say, O Lord , and guard my lips.’ (Psalms 141:3)
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
How careful are you with your words?
In what situations or with whom do you need to ask for God to guard your lips and take control of what you say?
How have your careless or idle words caused you harm? How can you seek God’s forgiveness?
Which of the verses from the end of today’s devo do you need to memorize and pray?