Matthew 12 36 FOR EVERY IDLE WORD FOR

Matthew 12: 36 “FOR EVERY IDLE WORD”

“FOR EVERY IDLE WORD MEN MAY SPEAK” q Ephesians 5: 1 -8 q Matthew 12: 32 -37 q We will all give an account for every idle word that we speak q What we say will either justify or condemn us q In all that we say we must show reverence for God

“FOR EVERY IDLE WORD” q Jesus instructed his disciples to call God’s name “hallowed” - Matthew 6: 9 -10

“HALLOWED” G 37 α για ζω hagiazo hag-ee-ad'-zo From G 40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify. (Strong)

“FOR EVERY IDLE WORD” q Jesus instructed his disciples to call God’s name “hallowed” - Matthew 6: 9 -10 q Deuteronomy 5: 11 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. ” (NKJV)

“VAIN” H 7723 שו / שוא sha v' / shav BDB Definition: 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1 a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1 b) emptiness of speech, lying 1 c) worthlessness (of conduct) Part of Speech: noun masculine (BDB)

“FOR EVERY IDLE WORD” Jesus instructed his disciples to call God’s name “hallowed” - Matthew 6: 9 -10 q Deuteronomy 5: 11 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. ” (NKJV) q Leviticus 22: 32 “You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you” q

“PROFANE” H 2490 חלל cha lal BDB Definition: 1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin 1 a) (Niphal) 1 a 1) to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself 1 a 1 a) ritually 1 a 1 b) sexually 1 a 2) to be polluted, be defiled 1 b) (Piel) 1 b 1) to profane, make common, defile, pollute 1 b 2) to violate the honour of, dishonour 1 b 3) to violate (a covenant) 1 b 4) to treat as common (BDB)

“FOR EVERY IDLE WORD” q God’s name is also polluted by those who call themselves his children but disobey his will Ø Israel disobeyed God, causing God’s name to be profaned - Ezekiel 36: 16 -23

“CURSING” q Paul quotes O. T. scripture to show that people’s mouths are full of cursing – Rom. 3: 9 -18 q Under the O. T. Law, cursing your mother or father was punishable by death. –Ex. 20: 12; 21: 17 q Peter stumbled when he cursed to emphatically claim he was not a disciple of Christ – Matt. 26: 69 -75

“INAPPROPRIATE TALK” q Paul talks about things that shouldn’t even be associated with Christians in – Eph. 5: 1 -8 Filthiness Ø Foolish talking Ø Course jesting Ø Let it not be named among you Ø

WE MUST BRIDLE OUR TONGUE James 1: 26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ” q It is a hard thing to do – James 3: 3 -6 q Colossians 4: 5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ” (NKJV) q

CONCLUSION q What we’ve considered today is how we speak… It is a reflection of who we really are at heart Ø Cursing, inappropriate speech, euphemisms – they ought not to be named among us Ø We must bridle our tongues Ø We represent God to the world Ø In all that we say, we must show respect and reverence for God Ø We will give an account for every idle word we speak Ø

Matthew 12: 36 “FOR EVERY IDLE WORD”