We Are Tried by Our Words

Matthew 12: 35 - 37, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." NKJV

Have you ever been hurt by someone who had "good intentions?" On many occasions, people have promised me they would do something, yet I have found that their words weren't followed through with action. It's a good thing to be sincere when we tell someone that we will offer our help to them. Nevertheless, sincerity alone won't bless others; we must keep our word. If a relative or friend whom you love and trust doesn't do what they have told you, it gives place to disappointment and can damage the relationship between you.

In today's scripture, Jesus teaches us that we are either justified or condemned by our words. What we speak out our mouths will reflect what is really in our hearts. Needless to say, if we tell someone that we'll be there for them and fail to show, afterwards, our words will condemn us. However, on the other hand, if we are who we say we are, and we do what we tell people that we will do, then we are justified by our words; and they can trust us. 

There's an interesting scripture in James that will help us to understand why Christians have to go through fiery trials in life. James says that we are blessed when we ENDURE temptation; for when we are TRIED/APPROVED, we will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Notice that tried and approved or interchangeable. 

Why are Christians tried? It is to see if we are, indeed, who we say we are in Christ and to see whether we will do what we tell others we will do. Be aware of this principle when you speak "a promise or commitment" out your mouth. You will be tried by your words to see if what you have spoken is, in fact, true.  We come "under attack" after making or speaking a vow because the enemy wants to prove we're  not the REAL thing; however, God wants to know if He can reward us for sticking to our commitment, even after we have been tried by our words. Satan is out to cause us to fail by throwing obstacles in our way. Nevertheless, if we'll hold on and ENDURE (follow through anyway), then we will overcome, and Satan will learn that we are for real; and we will, subsequently receive a reward/blessing from God because we "kept His Word or principles of character." 

Consequently, don't think it strange if you are inundated by attacks when you take a stand or publicly declare something that has not yet been put to the test. A perfect example of the principle that I'm expounding on is found in the book of Job. Before Job was tried by Satan, God had spoken some great words of praise over Job's character. It was these declarations of God that got Job "placed on trial." Immediately, after God spoke to Satan about Job's integrity, his entire life was turned upside down. Did Job curse God, like Satan said that he would? No, he did not. Did Job sin against God, like Satan thought he would? No, he did not. Did Job keep the integrity of his heart and hold on to his faith in the goodness of God and endure the trial? YES, he did!

Did Satan's attempt to discredit Job and make God a liar materialize as he said it would? No, it did not. Therefore, we can conclude that Job's trial further solidified or established the truth about God's faithfulness, Job's character, and Satan's self-deception. At the end of the trial, Job was blessed by the Lord with a double portion of everything that he had lost, just as James said in his letter. After you have been tried/approved, then the Lord will give you the promise.

We must be very careful when we make grandiose statements and embellish the truth about something, lest we open the door for Satan to try our words by throwing us in the furnace of afflictions. By our words, we will be justified and by them, we will be condemned. There's an old saying, which goes something like this: "Silence is golden." 

If the Lord Is Willing, I Will Do Such and Such,

Pastor Asa Dockery