By Your Words

"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."

Matthew 12:36-37

Speaking without thinking is like playing with a loaded gun. Careless words are the bullets. When the gun goes off and injures someone, the damage is done. You can retrieve the bullet, but you can't undo the harm it caused. Have you ever hurt someone's feelings with careless words, then shrugged it off as their problem because they're too sensitive? Have you ever spread gossip about someone, embellishing just a little to spice up the story? Have you cut down a friend's self-confidence with your repeated, "all in fun" jabs? Have you dishonored God by speaking his name disrespectfully even though you knew better?

Most of us will admit that we don't always choose our words wisely. If we really understood the power of our words, we would never shoot them off as carelessly as we do. God knows how damaging careless words can be, and he takes them far more seriously than we do. Jesus cautions us that one day we will be required to account for every word we've spoken. Imagine standing before holy God in heaven and having every careless and hurtful word we ever spoke revealed before the hosts of heaven! If we're wise, we'll get in the habit now of thinking before we speak.

If you tend to shoot off your mouth without thinking, ask God to day to help you gain control over your tongue. Begin choosing your words wisely, and there will be no need for regrets.