In Matthew 12 we have that moment when the Pharisees (dangerously) accused Jesus of doing miracles by the power of Satan (Matt 12:9-24) Bad news, guys. Jesus warned them, "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matt 12:32). The classic unforgivable sin. At this point in the narrative, Jesus went on to talk about trees and tongues. A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit (Matt 12:33). In the same way, He says, what comes out of your mouth is a product of your heart (Matt 12:34-35). And then He makes this chilling statement. "I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment" (Matt 12:36). Well, if you're paying attention, I'd think that you (like me) might start examining your careless words. Notice, it's not "evil" or "bad" or "offensive," but merely "careless." What does that even mean?
Other translations offer "idle" for that word. The Greek is essentially "not working." It's a word that does nothing. It refers to thoughtless, useless words. Paul refers to "silly talk and coarse jesting" (Eph 5:4). Job talks about "unprofitable talk" (Job 15:3). Solomon warned that those who babble are like piercings of the sword (Prov 12:18). The standard, then, is not merely just evil talk (Matt 12:34). We get that. No, it's even idle, careless, apparently nonfunctional talk. Conversation without purpose.
This is a bit unnerving because all of us have pointless conversations at time. Oh, sometimes our "silly talk" actually has a purpose (like breaking the ice or disarming a situation), but how much of what we have to say is idle? How much is doing nothing? It appears that words -- our communication -- are extremely important to God. Wasting words is a bad option. Perhaps that's why we are to be quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19). And the real concern, according to Jesus, is the fact that the things you say are an expression of what's in your heart. If you were to analyze how you speak, what would it say about your heart condition? Especially if "idle" or "careless" is classified as a problem.
Is it about speaking without intentionality or speaking without thinking about what you're saying. Is "idle chit-chat" in view, where you're not speaking on anything of real import, but developing relationship in the action? Or is it more about the words we use without thinking?
ReplyDeleteI believe it is referring to speaking without purpose. Sometimes, for instance, idle chit-chat can be useful in breaking the ice, so it can have purpose ... or not. The word appears to be referring to "non-working words." Theological discussions can be aimed at avoiding other important issues just as making jokes can, but both can also be used for a purpose. I think that's what's in view.
ReplyDeleteStan, perhaps you, like me, saw the touch of irony in a blog post on the theme of “idle talk”--but I mention this only in humor and not because it is at all applicable in this case. I agree that Matt. 12:36 is “chilling,” especially to one who is a bit…er…talkative. Since Jesus teaches me that my speech stems from my heart, that is the factor for me to focus on first. (This was, of course, the issue in the incident I related on Jun. 7 about a careless remark emanating from my unregenerated heart.) If my heart is capable of producing good fruit, then I will hopefully “talk less and say more” (as the idiom goes) with edifying and gracious speech (Eph. 4:29).
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