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Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:33-37

Idle Words

Intro.

1.  “Jesus who knows our very thoughts (Mat_12:25) insists that our words reveal our thoughts and form a just basis for the interpretation of character (Mat_12:37).” (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures)

2.  Will give account of every idle word in the day of judgment, Matt 12:36.

3.  “Idle words” conveys a wide variety of sins of the tongue.

 

I.  WHAT ARE IDLE WORDS? Matt 12:36

  A.  Defining “Idle”.

    1.  argos, from a (neg. participle) and ergon (to work); Hence, no work, not working; “ineffective”.

    2.  “1) free from labour, at leisure, 2) lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform” (Thayer).

    3.  Used to describe:

      a.  Inactivity, Matt 20:3, 6. No productivity

      b.  Profitless leisure, wandering about; a learned trait, 1 Tim 5:13.

      c.  Lazy, Titus 1:12. (Slow, sluggish, lethargic, without energy)

      d.  Barren, 2 Pet 1:8. Useless of any good

  B.  Idle Words Mark Out the Heart that Bears Evil Fruit, Matt 12:34-35.

    1.  Good man…good treasure of his heart…good things (words).

    2.  Evil man…evil treasure…evil things (words).

    3.  We must “make the tree good” by heart conversion (Rom 12:2).

 

II.  HOW IDLE WORDS MAY BE SPOKEN.

  A.  Context: By Denying Jesus is the Christ, Matt 12:22-24, 32.

    1.  Too lazy to examine the evidence, cf. Jno 1:43-46; Acts 17:11.

    2.  Willful rejection; ignorant rejection of evidence, Jno 12:37, 43.

    3.  Faithless impostors to be opposed, cf. Jude 10, 12-13.

  B.  Busybodies who Gossip and Bear Tales, 1 Tim 5:13 (14-15).

    1.  Learned practice (habit): Rather than being productive, these destroy the character, reputation and lives, Prov 16:28.

    2.  Characteristics of these idle words include:

      a.  Unloving and thoughtless, 1 Ths 4:9-12 (11). Meddlers, 1 Pet 4:15

      b.  Disorderly and disruptive, 2 Ths 3:10-11.

      c.  Malicious intent as well as careless disregard, Eph 4:31 (Col 3:8).

      d.  Generates discord and strife (Prov 6:19; 17:9).

    3.  Remedy: Get to work with God’s will! cf. 1 Tim 5:14 (2 Ths 3:10-12)

        -Golden rule, Matt 7:12; talk to the right person; forgiveness, Col 3:13.

  C.  Corrupt Words, Eph 4:29. (Rotten, unfit for use) “Stop all your dirty talk” (Contemporary English Version). cf. Col 4:6

    1.  Profanity: morally evil words, 1 Pet 2:1.

    2.  Such speech arises from arrogance, Prov 30:11-14; Psa 59:12.

  D.  Barren, Useless Words.

    1.  Euphemisms: So-called “less offensive” words that nevertheless convey the same meaning as more offensive (profane) words.

        -OMG, etc., Matt 12:35-36; cf. Eph 5:8-13.

    2.  Lies and deceit, Col 3:9.

      a.  Deceitful (crooked) heart, Prov 17:20.

      b.  Cf. False teachers (speak error, lies), Matt 7:15-20 (Jer 14:14).

    3.  Strife and arguments, Gal 5:13-15. (Obvious lack of love)

      a.  Do not speak and listen to destructive gossip, Prov 17:4; 18:8.

      b.  Get away from those who sow strife! Prov 24:1-2 (6:19)

 

III. WHY WE MUST BE CONCERNED ABOUT IDLE WORDS.

  A.  Our Words Reveal our Character, Matt 12:35; Prov 23:7.

      -They must show Christ living in us.

  B.  Our Words will be Judged by God, Matt 12:37; Prov 13:3.

  C.  Our Words must Advance Godliness and Righteousness, Titus 2:6-8.

 

Conclusion

1.  Prov 17:3: The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.

2.  We must test our hearts by the words we speak; God does! (2 Cor 13:5)

3.  Purify our hearts to be good in character and communication. (Repent)