The Importance of Words!

“And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37


I sat in church Wednesday night listening to a man I admire and could listen to for hours. I am always so amazed by the immeasurable amount of wisdom that pours forth from his mouth. I try to capture every word the Lord speaks through him knowing I will be blessed and walk away with a little more understanding of Christ than before. His passion and fire for the Lord is so contagious and I love that he is not afraid to make you squirm.

This is the very thing he did Wednesday night! As I sat absorbing all that God was saying through him it was as though God himself was standing there before me face to face teaching me and warning me of what was to come. Wednesday night the Lord began preparing me for the Day of Judgment when I will stand before the throne seat of God and give account of EVERY word I have ever spoken. Good, bad, mean, hurtful, uplifting, selfish, loving, not so loving, etc. In my head I envisioned that moment standing before the most Holy God and before my eyes I see Him pull out a record that contains every word I have said and the next thing I know He begins reading each one back to me asking, “ Kristi why did you speak this way? Why did you speak out of anger, why did you say this in the moment when you should have been quiet? Why did you allow ugliness to come out towards those who hurt you?”

The sadness that fills my heart is devastating, the fear of answering to God for my words overwhelms me, and the thought of the disappointment my Father in heaven felt every time I spoke those words kills me. But I know that I cannot let all those emotions consume me. I know the blood of Christ covers me and I am given the opportunity from this point on to begin being more aware and conscious of what I say. I know it is better to be quieter and less talkative. I am reminded that I must do more than just clean up my speech I must clean out my heart. And the greatest of all is knowing that I receive forgiveness when I confess by name the words and sins I have said and committed and that I am given mercy and grace daily.

I am thankful for Brother Collins and the heart he has for his brothers and sisters in Christ and for all those who are lost. I am thankful for the wisdom he is so willing to share so that all people can come to know Christ in a deeper more personal way. Most of all I am thankful that he sticks close to the word of God and speaks boldly in His name allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life and the lives of those who are blessed to hear him. I am thankful that he keeps me accountable with the word of God and that he wants each of us to have the same love for Christ that he does.

Are you ready to stand before the throne seat of God and give an account for every word you have spoke and will speak? Turn to God and let Him take your thoughts and words captive. Ask Him to take control of what you say and keep your lips sealed only allowing words that are kind, encouraging and loving to come out. And remember the only way for your speech to be cleaned up is by cleaning up your heart first.

Prayer: Lord there is a very good reason You tell us about the power of our tongues. I ask Lord that You take control of my tongue only allowing words to be spoken that will lead others to You. Lord I thank You for Brother Collins and the love that he has for You. Thank You for blessing us with a man who is so passionate and in love with You. Our lives are truly enriched by his presence and ministry. Amen