“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.” (Matthew 12:36, NKJV)The clear thought of the passage can be summed up thus: God assesses the value of every word YOU utter; YOU are responsible for every word YOU speak and therefore will give account of each one of them - whether they are idle or otherwise; and it’s the will of God that every word YOU speak is fruitful in the sense of being worthwhile and making a positive difference.
The word “idle” in this passage is a translation of the Greek word “argos”, which also denotes “inactive, unfruitful, and barren”. Argos is a compound word made up of “a” meaning ‘negative’ and “ergon” meaning ‘work’. So the word can be used in the sense of something having the potential to produce a negative outcome or a worthless result.
The message is clear: Be careful of the quality of your words. It matters that we are not careless with our words; that the words we speak are such as would activate the move of the Holy Spirit and not license the devil or give him room.
Words produce results; the question is what kind of results are your words producing? When you speak “idle” words you equip your adversary the devil with effectual weapons of attack – your own words. Ephesians 6 describes these enemy weapons as “the fiery darts of the wicked one”.
Idle words by their nature are contrary to the will of God and negates our faith in any given situation or circumstance. You are as likely to speak idle words into your own life as in the lives of others too - perhaps into your spouse’s life, your children’s lives, indeed the lives of everyone you come in contact with, even total strangers. What you say, how you say it, and why you say it matters. You will give account.
A mouth trained in talking foolishness, filthiness, or negatives cannot be proficient in speaking life and faith. The Bible enjoins the believer:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)As a believer, every word you permit to come out your lips should be words that the Holy Spirit can use to work God’s purpose. God has put the power of life and death in the tongue, and He wants His children to speak words that are alive and active, not dead and worthless words.
However, our words cannot be alive and active unless their content and the motive of our hearts line up with God’s purpose and plan. Then will our words we take on the character of God’s word and receive the backing of the Father, for only the word of God has the attribute of being alive and active. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
How have you been using the creative power that God has invested in your tongue? Train your mouth to speak life not death, to speak fruitful words not words that produce a negative work. Eschew idle words and learn to speak as your heavenly Father speaks.
Beware; you will be accountable for the outcome of your words. Speak life; speak the change that is ordained by God. Impact your world with God-breathed words and not with idle words!
