Scripture reading: Matthew 12:34-37
"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
As I checked my notifications on my phone, it led me to Facebook. After taking care of that, I scrolled very briefly. I stopped when I saw the word 'praying' in the first few words of the post. I began reading the post in its entirety; I was deeply saddened. The post began, 'I am praying for my son' and by the end it was more than just an angry mother. Her words were reckless and perverse as she described an event which left her son cut and with broken bones. As I remember, it even had a threat to those individuals who jumped her son.
At the onset of reading the post I was expecting to come in agreement with a believer. By the end of the post, bring correction was what I wanted to do. Many people do this and because they attend a service, pay tithes and offering, help here and there, and say a prayer they think they are okay with God. Well not so. In verse 34 Jesus was saying to the religious folks, to the children of the treacherous and ungrateful, whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth. It was evident there were more perverse things in her heart because of her language.
The present task of many who are chosen by God to the nations is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. This task becomes even more difficult because there are those who teach with an abundance of evil things in their hearts. 'Treasure' in verse 35 is the regarding of something as valuable. Whether it be good or evil what you hold in you heart is valuable to you. When the time comes you show how important it is to you by speaking it.
As we continue on to verse 36, Jesus tells us, anyone who speaks useless, unfruitful words have to pay for what they have spoken on Judgment Day.
This should definitely be a reminder to us all to watch our every word. What we say will help us or hurt us, naturally as well as spiritually. Maybe you have heard of this saying, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.' Oh how false it this! Words can hurt the one speaking them as well as the one in which words are spoken.
In conclusion, we know the tongue brings life and death, blessings and cursing, and how it is used will cause us to gain a good reward or our just payment. Watch what you say and what you don't or won't say!
Prayer: Father, it is the goal of every believer to make you a proud parent. To honor and obey You in all we do. We know our words are important as well as what is in our heart. As we commit ourselves to you daily, we shall hide your word in our heart that we might not sin against You. We know your word tells us that no man can tame the tongue. Lord we know you can. Holy Spirit teach us to speak when we should and nudge us when we should not. Perfect those things in us as you see them in Jesus name. Amen.