Do you always control what you say? Probably not. At times the words just tumble out, like some verbal reflex. A thought pops into our heads and rushes out our mouths. Or we consider what we say, but the words are wrong--the time isn't right--we tell the wrong person--or all of the above.

 

I remember when I met my wife's grandfather. The first thing I noticed was not his smile or friendliness. Nope. It was his right hand. It wasn't there! Just a stub at the end of his arm. Lost it in a factory accident as a boy. But he wasn't crippled. Papa did anything he wanted to.

 

No one paid attention to his "infirmity"...except me. As much as I tried not to, I kept glancing at that stub. When he began moving chairs into the kitchen, I thought, I'll help. That will keep me distracted. Then the words just tumbled out of my mouth. "Can I give you a hand?"

 

Even with our best intentions, we still mess up. I was fortunate. While the horrified look on my face shouted, "Just shoot me now," Papa simply told me which chairs to bring. Funny thing though. Over the years he never asked for help, but said instead, "Wanna give me a hand?"

 

God's lessons over time become deeper than when we first learned them. You will account for every careless word you have spoken (Matthew 12:36). If you don't control what you say, your worship means nothing (James 1:26). Careless words affect our relationship with others, but also our relationship with God. And there's another important side to this--our own reaction to someone's careless words.

 

Recently a magazine interviewed Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty, a reality TV show. Mr. Robertson, a Christian, speaks his mind. He doesn't rant or rave, but if you ask what he believes, he calmly tells you, sometimes in a blunt, graphic way as he did when asked about homosexuality.

 

The reaction was immediate, from condemnation to praise. Commentaries and posts were everywhere. But there was a problem. They focused on the man and what he had said, not on what they believed and why they believed it. Attacking or exalting him was far more important. I don't believe that's the first response God demands of those who follow Him. Let me tell you why.

 

Jesus said, In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:2). Before judging others, we must correct the wrong in our own lives (Matthew 7:3-5). As He cautioned, Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? (Luke 12:57).

 

More important than what others say is knowing what we believe and why we believe it. If we judge at all, we should judge ourselves for our own sake---learning what is right, removing what is wrong, living as Jesus taught, being light in a dark world.

 

Truth is not found in words intended to create an uproar. And the careless so easily bring quarrels, anger, jealousy, division, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder to the Body of Christ. Do not follow them. Be careful with your words and how you use them. Focus on yourself before looking at others.

 

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 

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