Snapshots
Biblical Truth
OF
Careless Words
BIBLE REFERENCES:
Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) “When words are many, sin is not absent; but he who holds his tongue is wise.”
Proverbs 11:11 (NIV) “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.”
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 13:3 (NIV) “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 16:23, 24 (NIV) “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 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 6:45 (NIV) “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
APPLICATION:
Words do matter; even the tone of your words and the attitude behind them matter a lot!
The Bible tells us that we will either be justified by our words or condemned (Matthew 12:37). You may think you are getting away with your quick retort and smooth talk but God will have the final word. And, you will give account to him on Judgment day for all of those careless words.
Luke 6:45 tells us that “Out of the overflow of our heart, the mouth speaks”. So, the very words you use to cover up or dodge an issue will eventually give you up. Our words are really indicators of what is going on inside us. They can reflect the love of Christ or they can reflect a raging war. Careless words the Bible talks about are those faithless words, thoughtless words, hurtful words, spiteful words, and those flowery untruths we use to deceive others.
I heard one preacher say that words are the most powerful things around. I agree. God used words to speak the universe into existence; that was certainly powerful! Words have the power to do both good and evil. Heated, hateful words have started wars and soothing, healing words have helped to end them.
You can tell a lot about a person just by listening to the words coming out of his/her mouth. From past experience, I have found that it is best to just limit the flow. As my Mama used to tell me, if you don’t have anything good to say, keep your mouth shut!
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A PRAYER:
“God help me to select my words carefully. Let my words be faith filled words, words of hope, kindness, love and healing.”
SNAPSHOT:
