"Every idle (unprofitable) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day
of judgment." Matt. 12:36.
Nothing more quickly and thoroughly reveals the lack of real spirituality than does foolish
talking, and IDLE WORDS. There is nothing that will more surely label the shallow
Christian as one who has no concern for others, nor any burden for the lost and suffering than
his perpetual flow of foolish talking, and nonsensical joking. Although in the eyes of many, this
seems to be a small matter, there are few spiritual diseases more devastating, nor more
contagious.
God classes foolish talking along with some very unattractive companions, — "But fornication,
and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints:
neither filthiness, nor FOOLISH TALKING, nor JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather
giving of thanks." Eph. 5:3,4.
Jesus himself declared, "–Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, FOOLISHNESS: all these
EVIL THINGS come from within, and DEFILE the man." Mark 7:21-23. Foolishness, then will
defile a man, the same as fornication! There are many who would never kill nor steal, but will
even enter the pulpit, and publicly and unashamed, reveal through their words that they are
defiled within. I do not wish to infer that God's people should go around with a long face all the time, having no
joy. God's people are the happiest people in the world. God has commanded, "Rejoice
evermore." I Thes. 5:13. God's people are expected to be so happy that they will shout, sing,
clap their hands, dance, laugh, and even leap for joy. A few scriptures which show these things
are the following:
"Make a JOYFUL NOISE unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with GLADNESS: come
before his presence with SINGING." Ps. 100:1,2.
"Then was our mouth filled with LAUGHTER, and our tongue with SINGING: then said they
among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are GLAD." Ps.
126:2,3.
"Rejoice in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY." Luke 6:23.
For the Joy of the Lord is thy strength." Neh. 8:10.
The Christian who doesn't have JOY is a weak christian, a poor representative of the faith he
claims, and will probably soon be completely backslidden, and seeking his joy somewhere else.
This joy which brings strength is rejoicing in the Lord. It is not rejoicing in the power of our
own strength, nor of our own wit. "But now rejoice ye in your boastings: all such rejoicing is
evil." James 3:2.
Many who are guilty of the sin of foolish, excessive, and unprofitable talking will at first be
tempted to brand me a fanatic, and to rise to the defense of their pet sin. They will declare that it
is a mistake to take things too seriously. For this, they can find no scriptural defense. The
rescuing of the lost, and deliverance of the suffering, is a serious matter, requiring the whole
heart and mind of the one who is consecrated to the task. Many have reserved the right to talk as
much, and in whatever manner, they choose. They would rather have their jokes, foolish jesting
and nonsense than to have the power of God in their lives. If this is your case, God will have to
go on without YOU.
God has chosen to work through the spoken word of representatives in the world. When Jesus
was here, he said to his disciples, "The WORDS that I speak unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT,
AND THEY ARE LIFE." John 6:63. What are your words?
James compares the speech coming out of our mouths to water coming from a fountain. (James
3:10,11.) He insists that a fountain should give forth the same kind of water all the time — not
sweet water part of the time, and bitter water part of the time. Then he adds, "Who is a wise man
and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good CONVERSATION his
works with meekness of wisdom." James 3:13.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO
THE USE OF EDIFYING." Eph. 4:29.
Words which are not good to the use of edifying are IDLE (vain, empty, or unprofitable) words.
They are WASTED words. God has given to the believer's WORD an authority and power
which makes it precious. Precious things should not be wasted.
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