Words and Sounds

(Matthew 12:36KJV) But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.

Over the years I have thought a lot about this scripture and refer to it often when I teach on the subject of “watching your confession.” After having read it so many times, I have come to the conclusion that it may have two levels of understanding. The first level has to do with speaking negative words or words without faith. The second level refers to any idle word that does not bring life.

If the second level of understanding is true then how does God appraise “small talk”? After all, the most unproductive idle words there are, are those found in “small talk.”

Even though I have never considered myself to be a good “small talker,” I admire those who are. I am actually intrigued by those who have the ability to talk for hours and never seem to say anything significant.

Because I am a better listener than I am a contributor, I am totally entertained by folks who have the ability to talk on so many subjects with so little knowledge.

However, after having said that then perhaps I need to address the real question. Who will be held more accountable...those who abundantly use idle words or those who judge those who abundantly use idle words? Wow!!! Maybe I better change the subject.

I personally enjoy “mind stretching,” idea provoking conversations much more than I do “small talk.” By saying that I do not mean to imply that I think I am a deep thinking individual…I only mean to say that I enjoy “thought provoking conversation.”

The reason we will be held accountable for idle words is because there is nothing more powerful than the spoken word. Out of all of God’s creation He only gave man the ability to speak as He Himself did in creating the world.

One may ask, “How is God going to know every word I have spoken?” There are two ways. The first way is because God is “all knowing.” The second way is that every word and sound is recorded in the earth…nothing is lost.

Many scientists believe that every hard object is a recording object and therefore capable of recording every sound. I happen to agree with this and it does not stretch my imagination at bit to believe that sound has no end. This is why I think it is important that we control our confession.

Some time ago when I was in Corpus Christi, Texas where the USS Lexington is docked, I decided to take a tour of this grand old aircraft carrier. I was not only surprised at how huge this thing was, but also of all the sounds that still seem to reside there. It was as though every sound from its very beginning, the sound of every man, every machine and aircraft was still reverberating throughout the entire aircraft carrier. I was absolutely astonished.

If a natural man can hear such sounds then how much more the Lord knows every word we speak. However, because the Lord is gracious He already has a plan to cover all of our wrong, faithless idle words. All we have to do is simply repent and ask for forgiveness.

 

By the way, maybe there is a difference between the idle words in our text and the idle words in “small talk.” You decide.

Father,

Help us to clean up our conversation and teach us how to always speak meaningful, faith filled words that build up one another. We understand there are good sounds and there are bad sounds, so help our conversation to always produce good sounds.

Amen