DON’T BE CARELESS WITH YOUR WORDS

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).

Our theme verse shows us something very significant about God; He places premium on words. Jesus emphasized the importance of words several times in His teachings. In Matthew 12:36, He said, “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” That’s a serious warning.

Notice He didn’t say men shall give account for some idle words that they speak, but for every idle word. Idle words are empty, ineffectual words; careless jesting and ramblings; coarse language. In Ephesians 4:29, He said, “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.”

Not only must your words be gracious and edifying always, they must also be faith words. Words are things; they have substance; they create or destroy. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21). Don’t be careless with words. Your words represent you; they’re your life.

Mark 11:23 says, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea…he shall have whatsoever he saith.” You’re what you say. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Even salvation is activated by words. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Take words seriously.

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