My daughter and I were venting when her husband rounded the corner. Had he heard what I’d just shared in confidence? I had spoken heatedly and from frustration rather than grace. I immediately regretted my words. I tasted them still on my tongue. It’s not the first time I’ve swallowed hard to choke down the morsels that should have never crossed my lips. Whether or not he heard, whether or not your spouse or coworker heard, God did.
“You can be sure of this: when the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless word he has spoken.
Your very words will be used as evidence, and your words will declare you either innocent or guilty.”
Matthew 12:36-37 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/mat.12.36-37.TPT
Careless, useless, idle, empty- all are words used to translate this passage from the original text. These words are not just cursing words or ugly slurs. They can also be pointless joking, senseless chatter, argumentative proddings, or even lazy half-replies, things that slip from our mouths without thought or intention.
“You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind.
You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.”
Psalms 139:2-4 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.139.2-4.TPT
As her husband joins us in the room, I apologize, not because I didn’t mean what I’d said, not even because I hadn’t meant for him to hear, but because my words were without grace and not beneficial to those who listen, even my daughter. Moreover, my words dishonored God, Whom every sinful word, thought, and action grieves and upon Whom each one reflects.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.4.29.NIV
“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
Luke 12:2-3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.12.2-3.NLT
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind.
Sympathize with each other.
Love each other as brothers and sisters.
Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Don’t repay evil for evil.
Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.
So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Keep your conscience clear.
Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
1 Peter 3:8-16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.8-16.NLT
“As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority.
I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right.
It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.”
1 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.4.3-4.NLT
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalms 139:23-24 NLT
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