Accounting for Every Word

By Charlie Olson

Words matter. I’m sure that’s not a surprise to anyone reading this article. Throughout our lives, we either reap the benefits of wise words or the consequences of the wrong words. We’re graded on our words in school, our relationships are built or destroyed by our words, and most of us even see our careers impacted by our use of words. Far more impor­tant than all these is the knowledge that our words matter to God. The Bible has much to say about our words, their impact, and our responsi­bility with them.

One of the key Scriptures instructing us in this matter is Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV),

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Jesus spoke these words to Pharisees who accused Him of doing miracles by the power of Satan—even though His words and actions indicated a life of godliness. He declared that our words reflect the condition of our heart—and that is one reason they matter so much to God.

“Every careless word.” Those Pharisees didn’t think deeply about the accusations they were making against Jesus or how God would hold them responsible. How often are we careless about our own words? Some of us talk and talk, but Proverbs 10:19 cautions, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” If our words come from the abundance of our hearts, then the sin that is present there will show itself if we don’t actively restrain ourselves. The problem, as James 3:8 says, is that “no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” He goes on to make the same point Jesus did, that the tongue is a reflection of the inner reality of our hearts. In order for us to restrain our words, we need our hearts to be renewed by God.

Sadly, many of us are like the Pharisees, who thought outward religion or ceremonial piety was sufficient, but James 1:26 admonishes,

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worth­less.

The question we must ask ourselves is, “How valuable is my religion? Does it result in an inner change or restraint of my heart and tongue?”

I heard a Pentecostal pastor address this con­cept recently, pointing out that too many are more concerned with displaying the gifts of the Spirit than the fruits of the Spirit. He lamented seeing supposed Christians who spoke in tongues yet were mean and ugly in their interactions with others. As James 3:10 laments,

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

I have observed the same issue on social media. People share posts about the Bible and their faith, and then in another post or comment, they are rude or crass. We are accountable for both the words we speak and the words we type. Our words are a demonstration to others of who we truly are—and we might be surprised or embarrassed by that reality.

Not only do our words reveal the content and character of our hearts, but they also strongly impact those around us. Laura Ingalls Wilder mused,

We go lightheartedly on our way, never thinking that by a careless word or two we may have altered the whole course of human lives, for some person will take our advice and use it.¹

As school children, many of us responded to verbal abuse with the adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”—yet we know that often words do hurt people, and those hurts can have a significant impact on their lives. This is another reason God holds us accountable for our words.

If this issue isn’t already troubling enough, we need to be aware of anoth­er facet of accountability for our words. Words that should be said but are with­held. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “As we must account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence.”² Whether it is a word of encouragement, correc­tion, or caution, we must understand our accountability and responsibility to share the wisdom God has given us which may help others at key times. God even warned the prophet Ezekiel about this concept.

If I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wick­ed way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. (Eze 3:18)

Throughout the Bible God reminds us that we are responsible to care for others, and the wise use of words is one way we accomplish that. God holds us account­able when we knowingly withhold what ought to be said.

What, then, is the remedy for the quandary of our tongues? We need a renewal within. A good starting point is the prayer of David from Psalm 19:4,

Let the words of my mouth and the medi­tation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, 0 LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

This is, first of all, a prayer for God’s help. David knew that he could not accomplish it on his own. Notice that David wasn’t simply interested in man’s opinion about his speech—he want­ed God’s approval. He recognized that before the words of his mouth could be acceptable to God, the thoughts behind them needed to be pleasing to God. In Psalm 139:4, he wrote, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, 0 LORD, you know it altogether.” That is the approach we all need to take because God looks on the heart (1Sa 16:7).

David gives us another model prayer for the internal cleansing and renewal we need from God. “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). The results of this inner cleansing are evident in our speech (Ps 51:13-15),

Then I will teach trans­gressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, 0 God, 0 God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

When our inner man has truly been cleansed and renewed by God, it should be reflected in the kind of words that proceed from our mouths.

The Bible has many descriptions of the spiritual fruit produced by a mouth and tongue, which are directed by a renewed heart. Here is a sampling:

All the words of my mouth are righ­teous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. (Pr 9:8)

The tongue of the wise brings healing. (Pr 12:18b)

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Pr 16:24)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Pr 25:11).

Lest we think this is an automatic change that comes with salvation, Paul reminded the saints in Colossae,

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:6)

Even after we receive God’s Spirit with­in, we have a responsibility to control our speech because our old flesh retains the habits and proclivities of the sinful nature. Paul gave similar instructions to the church in Ephesus (Eph 4:29),

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

He continued in 5:4,

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

We need to be reminded periodi­cally of the things God expects from us. That is one of the blessings of fellowship with the family of God. As we spend time with one another, worshiping God and discussing His Word, we receive instruction and correction through for­mal teaching and interactions with other believers. We read, study, and medi­tate on the Word of God, which then impacts our hearts and minds, and we see the blessed results in our interac­tions. Colossians 3:16-17 says,

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach­ing and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Remember James comment about worthless religion I mentioned earlier? This is the remedy.

As believers, God cares about the words we use and the purpose behind them. We ought to be consciously aim­ing for the purposes that are pleasing in God’s sight: building others up, praising Him, and giving grace. Sometimes, we may also need to give rebuke or correc­tion, but even then, we are admonished to season it with salt and speak the truth in love. Brothers and sisters, let us guard our words and seek God’s help so that we do not need to be ashamed when called to account for what we have said.