Christian Conversation

Matthew 12:36 ~ “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.”

My friends, there is a great value in words. Creation formed at the word of God. Prophets warned through their words. The Apostles instructed with their words. Even worldly people understand the value of their words—to motivate, encourage, train, etc. Do you see the value of your conversations? 

When Moses was called by God to lead out the people of Israel from their enslavement in Egypt, his complaint was not that the way was too long or the work too hard. In Exodus 4:10, Moses great complaint was his ability to speak, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” The Lord responded to Moses’ complaint by asking a rhetorical question, “Who gave man his mouth” (see Exodus 4:11). Beloved, if God gave man a mouth to speak, a language to use, and a brain to think then, as our text this day reveals, God will hold accountable every person to the use of their words.

However, think how often a stray thought rushes from the mouth like a geyser, or an un-checked word escapes like a bat out of a cave? Believers in Christ are commissioned by God to use the tongue for His glory, to speak words for a more noble purpose, to take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Is this how you approach your conversations?

Consider what God’s word says. Psalm 37:30, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” Proverbs 8:7, “For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.” These two passages of Scripture give a clear picture of what the mouth of a believer ought to voice—only that which is wise and true. You will have a high value to your words when wickedness from your lips is considered an abomination to you.

I remember, some time ago, when I walked with a group of Christians as we left a meeting. We navigated through the parking lot and made our way to the car, all the while speaking and laughing and carrying on with the wonderful fellowship we just experienced. However, one in our party thought to share a story—a witticism that carried a hint of vulgarity. As this person shared his version of humor, the remaining members walked in stunned silence at the lack of Christian character expressed in his quip. When confronted, the person quickly defended himself with the well-worn statement, “it was just a joke.”

Has true faith become so watered-down by the world that believers can casually share at a joke that is vulgar and crude without a shred of conscience? Was Jeremiah right when he said that the people of God had forgotten even how to blush (see Jeremiah 8:12)? It was more than just a joke; it was a telling sign of what ruminated in that person’s heart. Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). 

Paul entreats the church, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). The Bible states in Ephesians 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.” And again, in Ephesians 5:4, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” 

All believers have a responsibility to God, to fellow believers and to the world at large to speak those words that will exalt Christ, edify the church and entreat the lost world to Jesus. Is this your conversation? It should be. 

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

---