June 17, 2015
Scripture: Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.35A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Questions for Reflection:
Yesterday we looked at Luke where Jesus used a similar concept to teach the truth that our words flow from our heart. In this Matthew passage, Jesus is speaking to the religious and political leaders of the day. Summarize his teaching in your own words. How can you change what comes out of your mouth?
There’s one part of this passage that is new from the Luke teaching. Read verses 36 and 37 again. Jesus clearly teaches something that should be eye opening for us: “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word spoken.” Wow! This concept can become a great filter for what we say. Before you speak, ask yourself: Would I want to be held accountable for what I’m about to say on judgement day? Taking the time to think through that response may keep us from saying hurtful, unnecessary words.