The Measure Of Your Words

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matt 12:34)

There are all sorts of things you can pretend to be through your actions. You can feed the hungry, care for the sick, visit prisoners, teach Sunday School, march on the Capitol for all sorts of noble causes and inalienable rights. But at some point, the mask will come off through your words and you will be utterly oblivious to your own hypocrisy. You will stand naked and exposed as foolishness and ignorance flow freely from your mouth, and you will be none-the-wiser to your own self-condemnation. 

Jesus teaches that on judgment day, every human being will be held accountable for every “ARGON” word that they have spoken (Matt 12:36). This Greek word means “unprofitable, blameworthy, mindless, thoughtless”— injurious words due to lack of any effort to “get wisdom” (Prov 4:7). Words spoken from the self-centeredness, ignorance, and wickedness tucked away in men’s hearts. Words that are an overflow of a heart that has not been purified by the active residing and dwelling of Christ within. 

We can pretend to be a lot of things, but we cannot pretend to be the image of Christ. And one of the truly terrifying realities, is that you cannot even discern this truth until Christ indeed dwells within. In a paradoxical way, you cannot know until you know, you cannot see until you see. You can think you speak reasonable, logical, and noble things, until the Lord helps you understand that you in fact, do not. And then you are devastated at all that came forth from you before. You are devastated because you finally see, but there is a part of you that wishes you couldn’t. 

On that day you tremble with the fear of God, because you realize that by our words we will be either be acquitted or condemned. 

(Prov 9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(Matt 12:34-37) Offspring of vipers, how are you able to speak good things, being evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

(Ps 37:30-33) The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

(Prov 4:7-9) Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.