Snapshots
Biblical Truth
OF
Nothing But Words
BIBLE REFERENCES:
Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”
Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV) “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. …… But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Luke 6:46-49 (NIV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and it destruction was complete.”
2 Tim 2:16 (NIV) “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
Titus 1:15, 16 (NIV) “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.”
James 2:14-17 (NIV) “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”
APPLICATION:
Sometimes our words are nothing but empty chatter. It seems some people just love to hear themselves talk. I recall a business trip I was on. The flight was at night and I was trying to get some sleep, which turned out to be impossible. Two people sitting in front of me were engaged in a constant flow of chatter the entire flight. From what I could hear, nothing significant was being said it was just one trying to outtalk the other. I felt like yelling out, “put a lid on it and give it some rest!” But, that would have been rude.
Meaningless words do nothing but take up air space. When there is no real action to our words, our words become empty and meaningless chatter. As Christians, sometimes our words can be overstuffed with religion but short on practical deeds. We need to put some real meaning to our words by practicing what we preach.
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A PRAYER:
“God, help me to refrain from meaningless chatter. Help me to say and do only those things that are uplifting and profitable to your kingdom.”
SNAPSHOT:
