“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37).

 I don’t know about you, but I do know that this verse gives me tremendous concern. I am wondering what this will look like on Judgment Day. I am assured of my salvation; however, that does not excuse me from having to stand before God accountable for my thoughts, words, and actions.

Wisdom from Proverbs tells us “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19). Lying and slander are counted same as murder!!! And this is repeated in the New Testament by James: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). We discredit our testimony when we speak obscenities, lies, gossip, slander, and dissension.

Certainly obscenities, lies, gossip, slander, and dissension are bad and to be avoided, but what are empty words? Adam Clarke said that the sense of the ancient Greek word used for idle or empty is “a word that does nothing, that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it.”

How can we even begin to comply with this instruction to avoid empty words? It starts on the inside with our relationship with God.

1. We need to get our hearts right with God. “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:20-22). Yes, what we say is evidence of what is in our hearts. There is simply no good excuse. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Matthew 12:33-35).

• We can then replace the negative and obscene with the positive and edifying. What if we could successfully adhere to the Apostle Paul’s teaching: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29).

• Know that you are not in this alone. “…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12). “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

Wouldn’t you love to be one of those people whose every word is an “apple of gold?” Wouldn’t you love to be one of those people who pours wisdom, love, faith, and hope into every conversation? I know I would. That is a high bar, but one that is worthy to strive for. Let’s strive for this together. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13).

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 ESV).

In Christ,

Judy