AVOID IDLE CONVERSATION

Proclamation:

“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 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were spoken by Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees and to the crowd which had followed Him after He healed the demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. (Matthew 12:22)  They accused Him of being the prince of demons. (Matthew 12:24)  After defending Himself, Jesus told them that the things which come out of a person’s mouth is that which is stored up within him. (Matthew 12:33-35)  Then He told them that they would have to give an account for the words that they speak.

Application:

Most of us think that our thoughts, words, and actions are either good, bad, or neutral.  The problem is that either they give glorify God, or they don’t and they are sinful.  The Bible says that all unrighteousness is sin. (1 John 5:17)  We should keep our conversations free from perverse and corrupt language. (Proverbs 4:24)  We would all also do well to heed the Apostle Paul's warning to Timothy to avoid all idle godless conversation. (2 Timothy 2:16)  Jesus, The Christ said that we would be judged on every idle word that we speak. (Matthew 12:36)  Christ also said that by our words we would be justified, and by our words we would be condemned. (Matthew 12:37)  Much of what we say could be left unspoken, because it is not helpful, and it does not praise God or give Him glory.  As servants of The Lord we are not to quarrel with others or engage them in pointless conversation.  We are to kindly tell them what The Lord says. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)  It is the job and sanctifying work of The Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and convert them as He deems necessary. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Peter 1:2)  If they will not hear us, or listen to us, it is better for us to just walk away than to argue with them. (Mark 6:11)  We should always be mindful of the fact that our behavior may be the only "Bible" that some people will ever read.

WE SHOULD WATCH WHAT WE SAY

Proclamation:

"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 (NIV)

Explanation:

As witnessed and recorded by the Apostle Matthew, these are the words spoken by Jesus, The Christ, as He defended Himself to the Pharisees after He had healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. (Matthew 12:22)  Jesus knew their thoughts and presented several examples to them to explain the error in their thinking. (Matthew 12:25)  Then He went on to say that a man will be judged by what he does and what he says.

Application:

We often talk too much. We say a lot of words without really saying anything significant. Some of us seem to just talk to hear ourselves talk. Some people talk so much that it is hard for others to get a word into the conversation. However, idle conversation is also bad.  While this might seem like an insignificant "little thing", there is no such thing as a little sin; every sin is a sin against God. (Psalm 51:4)  Whatever we do, say or think that does not give God glory is unrighteous and the Bible says, "All unrighteousness is sin." (1 John 5:17)  We should therefore be very careful with respect to our actions and our speech because we will be held accountable for both.

Study The Bible And Avoid Idle Conversation

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly."  2 Timothy 2:15-16 (NIV)  The King James Version says "Study to show thyself approved unto God..." 

These are the words of that prolific New Testament writer, the Apostle Paul, to his young protege in the ministry, Timothy.  Paul was encouraging Timothy to diligently apply himself  to the study of The Word of God. so that he would understand it, and be able to explain it to the people and thereby please The Lord.  Paul told him to avoid idle conversation and arguments, and to kind and gentle as he teaches The Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:16 and 23-26)

Most of us do not read the Bible as often as we should.  Studying The Word of God requires much more than just reading it.  Study entails developing an appreciation for the context in which something was said or done, looking up the definition of words, and comparing the content of a verse with other Bible verses that address the same content.  We all should read and study much more.  Here Paul urges Timothy to study and to do his best to correctly present The Word of God.  He told him not to be ashamed of his efforts but to be careful in the manner in which he speaks and teaches.  We would all also do well to heed Paul's warning to avoid idle godless conversation. Jesus, The Christ said that we would be judged on every idle word that we speak. (Matthew 12:36)  Christ also said that by our words we would be justified, and by our words we would be condemned. (Matthew 12:37)  Much of what we say could be left unspoken, because it is not helpful, and it does not praise God or give Him glory. As servants of The Lord we are not to quarrel with others, we are to kindly tell them what The Lord says. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)  It is the job and sanctifying work of The Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and convert them as He deems necessary. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Peter 1:2)  If they will not hear us, or listen to us, it is better for us to just walk away than to argue with them. (Mark 6:11)  We should always be mindful of the fact that our behavior may be the only "Bible" that they will ever read.