If you’ve never read Matthew 12, you may not know that Jesus explains how words have measurable value, and that God judges us by the words we choose.
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Many practicing Christians don’t live with a mindfulness of what they say or any conviction regarding the power of the words they speak. This leads to a lot of careless and even harmful speech, flowing as unbridled self-expression from undisciplined souls.
As we grow in God and our study of his word, we discover that what we say and what we listen to have incredible power, and the enemy fights to keep us in the dark about the true power of words.
The Power of Words
The Bible teaches that death and life are in the power of our words, which are the product of what’s happening in our hearts (Proverbs 18:21;23:7, Matthew 12:34). Jesus further expounded and made it clear that we manifest whatever things we speak with full and total conviction (Mark 11:22-23).
Jesus’ teachings on what we should say in prayer and decree and how we are to speak to evil spirits are examples of how to demonstrate that power.
With such powerful words working to the glory of God, there would adversely then be words that do not work to God’s glory.
There can even be words that don’t work to accomplish anything at all.
Jesus teaches about these “idle words”, and what happens when we speak them.
What are Idle Words?
The concept of idle words is not spoken of often in the scriptures, mostly because it is generally understood in the culture of the original hearers and readers that words should not be wasted. The spoken word was seen as an extension of one’s character and authority, so faithful Jews were taught to choose and use words carefully.
There are two passages in the OT that clearly describe the nature and consequence of idle words, when read in the NIV. Deuteronomy 32:47 contrasts idle words against words that are necessary for life, treating them as opposites. Isaiah 58:13 reveals that when it is time to honor and focus on God we do so by not focusing on our own business or discussing matters of our own, using “idle words”.
So words that don’t do anything to support or accomplish the will of God are idle in the spirit realm, and can become an atmospheric pollution in your heart (Proverbs 4:23; 23:7a).
The Danger of Idle Words
So, all words aren’t productive. What’s the big deal?
The issue is the condition of your heart; remember, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words reflect your focus. If your words are not productive to God, that means you aren’t focused on God.
And that’s a problem.
Jesus explains that every idle word we speak with be judged, and furthermore, it is our words that either convict or acquit us in the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:36-37). This reiterates the OT truth that death and life are in the power of the tongue –
Literally, your ultimate life or death, throughout eternity, is hinged upon the words you choose to speak because they are the evidence of the state of your heart.
Furthermore, the words you choose to listen to are also important. Paul teaches that speaking vain words isn’t in alignment with God’s character, and listening to them with bring deception and God’s wrath (Ephesians 5:4,6).
What This Means for Me
If words can be idle, and idle words work against us to the point that God judges them, then we should be on guard to say ONLY what edifies God and ourselves and others in God. We can’t afford to be caught listening to, repeating, or musing empty thoughts and words that don’t have any substance or eternal value.
God created the worlds with his words; as those made in God’s image, we have the same creative power with our words, and we’re being judged by how seriously we take the responsibility and the opportunity.
Choose wisely.
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Key Study References
Deuteronomy 32:47 (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 10:19
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 23:7
Isaiah 58:13-14 (NIV)
Matthew 12:33-37
Mark 11:20-24
Luke 10:17-20
John 6:63
Ephesians 4:29
Ephesians 5:1-7
Hebrews 11:3
Deuteronomy 32:47 (NIV)
They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Isaiah 58:13-14 (NIV)
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
Matthew 12:33-37
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Mark 11:20-24
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Luke 10:17-20
The Seventy-Two Return with Joy
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 5:1-7
Imitators of God
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Hebrews 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
