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Bible Question: What
does it mean in the Bible when it says that we will give an account
of every idle word word we have spoken? Is this scripture only for
the unbeliever or will the Christian also have to give an account
for their words one day?
Bible Answer: Recently
a man stated that he did not believe there was a god. He was serious!
Then he added, "But if I am wrong, I am sure I can negotiate
with God and get into heaven." He was confident that he could
out negotiate God. That is arrogance since the very definition of
the word "god" implies one who is vastly superior in every
way to ourselves. The Bible has a great deal to say about how our
eternal future will be determined. Jesus gives us some insight with
this statement.
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But
I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will
give account of it in the day of judgment. (NKJV) Matthew 12:36 |
Matthew 12:36. The key words
in this passage are "idle" and "account." The
first word "idle" comes from the root Greek word ARGOS.
It means "not busy, idle, inactive, doing nothing, and sterile."
When we apply it as Jesus did here in Matthew 12:36, it has the idea
of careless or casual words. Our second word "account" comes
from the Greek word APODIOMI which means to "give an answer."
Jesus is saying that everyone will have to give God an answer for
even their casual comments. The gentleman above will have a difficult
time when God asks him to justify every word he has ever spoken. God
will not be interested in a wonderful presentation of the best parts
of his life story. God will be digging into the details of his life
- words, actions, and thoughts. God will be helping each non-Christian
understand why he or she is going to hell. But Christians will not
be judged for there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus
(Rom. 8:1).
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There
is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus. (NASB) Romans 8;1 |
In
the verse (v. 35) just before this one, Jesus says that our words
reveal the type of heart we have. The good heart of a Christian will
bring forth good words and an evil heart speaks forth evil. The Pharisees
had just spoken evil when they said that Jesus was using demonic power
to perform His miracles. These evil words reveal the true nature of
their hearts - evil.
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A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth
good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings
forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word
men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you
will be condemned. (NKJV) Matthew 12:35-37 |
Jesus repeats this warning later in the gospel of Matthew when He
says,
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But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart,
and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.
These are the things which defile the man . . . (NASB) Matthew
15:18-20 |
Our Actions. God will review
the conduct of all persons (Rev. 20:12) to help them understand that
they deserve to go to hell. When a non-Christian comes before God,
He is not starting His evaluation of his or her life. He already knows
each person's sins and He has already determined where each person
is going. He is omniscient or all-knowing. The review is not for Him
but for the individual. Each person's evil deeds will be the proof
that person is not a Christian.
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Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality,
impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn
you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (NKJV) Galatians
5:19-21 |
Non-Christians can only do evil deeds. Christians can do good deeds
(Eph. 2:8-9) by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
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