This week another (allegedly) abusive police action was caught ‘on tape’ (a now defunct expression)! With web-connected digital cameras and camcorders built into every cell phone, every action and word can be recorded and stored forever. It has never been more necessary to “think before you speak.” In the words of Jesus: “…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 justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matt. 12:36-37).
How many careless words have I spoken in my lifetime: dozens, hundreds, thousands? Maybe I should just talk less. Who hasn’t said something they immediately regretted and wanted to take back? Are you guilty of shooting off an emotionally-laden email to someone, and then immediately wished you could recall it? Are the days of writing (yes, on paper!) a thoughtful letter gone forever?
Jesus words are sobering, aren’t they!? But because you and I are justified by the blood of Jesus, we will not face such condemnation (Romans 5:1, 9; 8:1, 30). Before you get too giddy, let me say you are not off the hook for your careless words.
The New Testament letters are full of admonitions to be careful how we speak. Though we may escape “condemnation,” we are admonished to bear Jesus’ image in our speech (1 Tim. 4:12), to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); be “slow to speak” (James 1:19); not to “speak evil against another” (James 4:11), and to speak “only what is helpful for building others up” (Eph. 4:29 NIV). And finally, careless words result in a loss of intimacy with Jesus, broken fellowship with the very people we are called to love, not to mention the loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor. 3:14-16). Be careful to think before you hit that “send” button.
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