August 15, 2010

God's Word For Today

O. Hallesby

"And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement" Matthew 12:36

Jesus seldom uses such strong language as He did in the conversation from which out text was taken.

It was a conversation with the Pharisees during which He referred to them as the offspring of vipers.  He also brought them face to face with judgment more earnestly and forcibly than He had ever done before.

From this it is clear that He was speaking about something exceedingly important, something to which we must therefore give heed most earnestly.

He was speaking of the sins of the tongue, which constitute such a large and significant portion of the sins we commit.  And this strikes all of us.

Jesus says in our text that we are to give account on judgment day of every idle word that we have spoken. What an accounting it will be for every one of us!

Think of the thoughtless words. We did not intend any evil, but because of the thoughtlessness of our words a great deal of harm was done to those about whom we spoke.  Or think of the cold words. We ought rather to warm the icy souls of men by our words; instead, our words are like ice-cold polar air to our surroundings.

Or think of all the sly, cunning and false words which make for insecurity among men.  Or the unmerciful, harsh and bitter words which pierce wounded souls like daggers.  Or the slanderous words which buzz around like poison bacilli wherever we turn.  Or the untruthful words, not only those that are deliberately false, but all the unreliable and irresponsible talk about persons and things concerning which people have no knowledge.

Let us bow humbly beneath the judgment which Jesus pronounces today. And pray for forgiveness. Also in this connection the blood of Jesus Christ is our only consolation.

And if we will permit ourselves to he humbled, Jesus will heal us and teach us the rightful use of our tongues.

Ole Hallesby (1879-1961) was one of Norway's leading Christian teachers and devotional writers. During WWII he was an outspoken opponent of the Nazi occupation of Norway and was for a time detained at Grini concentration camp. He worked as a seminary professor in Oslo until his death.