In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire."
In today's world this may be a startling statement, considering how quickly and often demeaning words are thrown around.
Maybe your parents or spouse upsets you, or someone cuts you off on the highway. I know I've been cut off a lot recently. How quickly do we mutter or blurt out something to assuage our frustration? Remember, Jesus said earlier in Matthew 15:18, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man."
We not only defile ourselves but dehumanize our fellow man when we let our frustration override the guidance of the Holy Spirit in us. Your words will reveal if you have corruption in your heart that needs cleansed.
What I'm afraid of is that we have become blind to the fact our words have consequences in the next life. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned," Jesus said (Matt. 12:37). He doesn't just mean by our peers. Our words will be judged by our Father in Heaven on the last day; those words may put us in danger of hell fire if we do not repent and allow the Holy Spirit to guard our mind and mouth.
Heed Paul's words, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4:29).
Always improve the present moment.
~Corbin Riley
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