To listen to the audio of this post, follow the link. There is a scripture that causes me to gulp. If I am ever arrogantly thinking, I am doing pretty ok in living a Christian life, this one gets me. Jesus said, "I tell you thi…
There is a scripture that causes me to gulp. If I am ever arrogantly thinking, I am doing pretty ok in living a Christian life, this one gets me.
Jesus said,
"I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matthew 12:36
I have never done anything that could get me arrested. I have been a decent human being, hopefully seen as kind and compassionate.
But I have been guilty of saying really hurtful things to others upon occasion. And as I review my very prolific writing, I can see I was just flat out wrong about some things I once believed.
If I could gather up all the "idle words" that I sent into the world, I would.
I also realize with regret that I became a collector of idle words others spoke to me. Their words were so toxic, they seemed to have created a lasting wound.
I would like to forget them. Some were said to me as a child or a teenager, and I certainly don't need to let them to reverberate in my mind now.
So what do we do with all these free floating idle words in the universe?
There is only One Who has enough Power to make them disappear forever. The One Who is called The Word.
Jesus is The Word. He was identified in John 1:1 as God Himself.
In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.
John 1:1
Then God put on human flesh.
The Word became flesh and made His Dwelling among us.
John 1:14
Why did God reveal Himself in Jesus? The angel told Joseph, "You shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save HIs people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21
We can't take back idle words, but we can ask Jesus to make them disappear.
That begins with sincere repentance. It is not necessary for us to try to remember all our idle words or acts, unless The Lord prompts us to remember for a specific reason.
There may be something He wants us to be aware of now so we do not make the same mistake again.
There may be something He wants us to do to reconcile with someone.
We should open ourselves to God and ask Him to reveal what He wants to reveal to us.
David caught himself thinking and speaking evil.
But he stopped and said, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
After you have repented and received forgiveness, pray for anyone who may have been the recipient of your idle words. Again, if God brings someone specifically to mind, pray for them.
If no one specific comes to mind, pray, knowing God knows where your words went and He can deal with them.
The next very important step is your forgiving others whose words hurt you in any way.
Jesus said, "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 6:15
Those who hurt you cannot take their words back, but God can heal your wounds. He does that in a very unique way.
The words someone said to you are tied to the person in your memory. You do not have the power to eliminate the person or their words.
But you can first allow God to comfort and heal you.
Then you can pray for that person, thanking God for healing them too so they will never again speak hurtful words to anyone.
Pray the same for yourself.
And then trust God and do the same as He has promised to do for all of us.
For I will forgive and will remember their sins no more.
Listen to the audio - 5:17
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