Watch Your Mouth!

Scripture: But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  Matthew 12:36 NIV

Observation: Jesus says that we will be held accountable for what we say.

Application: Wow, every careless word!  That can be a pretty big indictment for a sarcastic person like me. Part of the culture of my job is to constantly banter back and forth.  We tease with each other, find a coworker’s weakness, expose it, and everyone piles on until he yells “uncle.” I’m a fireman. Every third day I go off to boy’s camp. It has given me the opportunity over the years to hone my sarcasm skills. I’m real good at it! Yahoo, for me. Big woop!  I’ve made a real messy bed for myself that I have to lie in. It’s a struggle for me to not hurt my wife, kids, or extended family with my mouth. I have to intentionally not be myself most of the time, every day. That’s a really hard thing for me to do, but I must.  Jesus is clear here in Matthew, I will be held accountable for all the hurtful, sarcastic words that I have spoken.  I must stop with the careless words.

Prayer: Lord, help me to control my mouth.  Please forgive me for hurting people, even unintentionally.  I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Doug