Mat 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The “blame-game” may very well be the oldest in the world. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. The reality is that each of us are accountable for ourselves. Yes, environment and upbringing should be considered, but there comes a time when we are responsible for what we do and say. Jesus addressed it in Matthew 12. The above text leaves no room for doubt. When we stand before the Lord in the Day of Judgment, we shall answer for our lives.
Every era has faced the over-usage of unnecessary words. From biblical times until now, self-constraint has been in short supply. However, social media has given rise to the greatest form of self-expression ever known to mankind. It has enabled us to speak our minds; give testimony (true or false); share opinions, or make statements and take positions regardless of what it may be. Facebook, Instagram, etc, is unlike anything we have ever seen. The sad truth is that too many people ended up saying too many things that should not be said. Paul wrote: Eph 5:12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
This pitfall has been exposed time and again, but it is rarely followed. Self-expression looks like an infection in the church. Being slow to speak is a Bible command! James 1:19. In relation to commitment or the pontification of what shall be, Jesus said, Mat 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Furthermore, Solomon wrote Prov 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
The Bible is full of this particular instruction. Perhaps the most telling is the notable battle against that well fortified city of Jericho. With impenetrable walls and intimidating features, Jericho proved an impossible task. God told Joshua to have the people march for 7 days, once per day. On the 7th day, they should march around the city 7 times. However, when Joshua relayed the command to the nation, he added something the Lord did not command. Joshua said, “we shall march but no one is to talk.” God did not tell them to be quiet while marching. God did not add a word about speech or volume for the people. Joshua added that command. My only thought is that he remembered the voice of the 10 spies which kept them out of the promise for 40 years and he was not about to let the next generation thwart the victory.
I am guarding my words in content and limitation. Psa 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole