Watch your Mouth.

According to my Google research, the average, working person speaks approximately 10, 000 to 16, 000 words per day with a speed of approximately 100 to 120 words per minute. It is reported that of those spoken words, less than 10 percent of those words are meaningful and impart value into the listening ear. Imagine speaking all of those words, and they’re either idle, destructive, or non-constructive. Matthew 12: 36-37 (NLT) reads, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say either acquit you or condemn you.” Imagine standing before God on judgment day with the above listed stats. Imagine not getting into heaven because you were not intentional with the words you spoke. Let’s Talk!

The Bible lists several scriptures regarding our language. Ephesians 5:29 (NLT) reads, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Colossians 4:6 (NLT) reads, “Let your conversation be gracious and seasoned with salt so that you will have the right response from everyone.” Proverbs 18: 20-21 (NLT) reads, “Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Let’s take it back to Genesis chapter one when God SPOKE words and CREATED! Everything He spoke came to past. The Bible even informs us in Isaiah 55:11 that when God’s word goes forth, it does not return to Him empty; instead His word goes out and produces what it was sent out to produce. And according to Genesis 1:26, you and I were created in His image and likeness to have dominion. So God spoke words to CREATE the world, His word always comes to pass, and we were created in His image and likeness. So why don’t we consider the fact that our words are just as power as our Heavenly Father’s words? Why aren’t we intentional about the words that we speak? We have quoted Proverbs 18: 21 until we have become blue in the face, yet we still do not truly consider the weight of our words. That scripture in NLT version reads. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” This scripture alone lets us know that what we speak has the ability to produce life or death, but it also lets us know that we will experience the consequences of whichever fruit our words produce whether it be destructive or constructive.

I would like for you to consider a few other Scriptures regarding the use of our words. Psalm 15: 1-3 (NLT) reads, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” This verse gives us insight on where our words originate from: our hearts. Our heart condition determines our language! This scripture tells us who will enter into the Lord’s sanctuary and presence: Those that live blameless lives, do right, speak the truth, not engage in gossip or speak evil! YOUR WORDS MATTER!! Colossians 3: 8-10 (NLT) reads, “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Filthy language (slander, lies, gossip, profanity, etc.) are all attached to our old, sinful nature and its wickedness. This is why it is essential for us, as followers of Christ, to shed that old nature and take on the nature of our Creator, becoming more and more like Him.

Lastly, I would like to reference Ezekiel chapter 37 where you can read about the Lord taking Ezekiel down to a valley filled with bones. Verses 7, 8, and 10 in the NLT version read, “So I spoke the message, just as He told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscle and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath…So I spoke the message as He commanded me, and breathe came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.” In this passage of Scripture, the Lord had instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones so that they may live again. Ezekiel spoke the words just as He was instructed and witnessed his words bring life to dead, dry bones. Imagine how your life would be if you became more intentional with the use of your words. Imagine how you would speak the word of the Lord to certain situations and witness a response just as Ezekiel did. Imagine heaven moving on your behalf as a response to hearing the word of the Lord. YOUR WORDS MATTER FRIEND!!

I want to encourage you to check your heart’s condition. If you are engaging in slander, lies, gossip, and any other form of foul language, you are living according to your old, sinful nature and producing its wickedness. Make a decision today to commit to shedding that old nature and allowing Holy Spirit to transform you into your new nature. God is able to prune, uproot, and replace our old nature with His nature if we allow His Spirit to lead us. When you are standing before Him on judgement day, you desire for your words to acquit you so begin the work today to change your language while you still have time. Ttyl!