If you live in the U.S. you’ve heard someone read the Miranda Right warning. They say, “Anything you say can be used against you.” I’ve seen people use people’s words against them my whole life. You especially see it in the world of politics. Have you ever had someone use your words against you? I have. I’ve tried being more conscious of the words I use. I’ve always been a talker. I have to be reminded often that words have consequences. Some times they’re good consequences and sometimes not so good. I’ve met people that sit there and think about how they want to phrase every sentence because they’re careful with their words. I’ve also met people who have no filter. No matter what, we will all be accountable for the words we use.
In 2 Samuel 12, David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, got her pregnant, murdered her husband and covered it up to conceal it. He thought he had gotten away with it until the prophet Nathan came in and told him a story about a poor man who only had one lamb that he loved very much. A rich man had a visitor and needed to feed him, but didn’t want to kill any of his own lambs. He then forcefully took the poor man’s lamb and killed it. Verse 5 says, “David became very angry at the rich man and said, ‘I swear by the living Lord that the man who did this ought to die!’” Nathan looked at David and said, “You are that man!” Instead of trying to deny it or defend himself, he confessed and repented. David was still held responsible for his actions and his words pronounced judgements on himself and his family.
Proverbs 18:20-21 says, “You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” Every day we must think carefully about the words we use. Are we simply talking for the sake of talking? Are our words building someone up or are they tearing down someone who was made in God’s image? Our words are powerful and Jesus reiterated in Matthew 12:36 that on the day of judgement, we will all (Christians included) give an account for every word we used. That should give us pause as we go about our day speaking to our family, our coworkers, our friends and even strangers. Our words have consequences, good and bad. Use them well.
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 