No Idle Word.
If you’ve ever heard the Lord speak to you (and we all have; although that’s for another post at another time) you know it’s perfect, in both its context and its timing. Well, we are called to be his hands and feet—and mouth—to those He wants to minister to. But as you know, words can be healing—or hurtful, depending on how we use them.
A friend of mine recently shared that, although probably well intentioned, every time a certain friend spoke to her, most everything he would speak would cause her to invariably recoil. “Words of death” she called them. How does this happen; whether by someone that does it continually, or by our momentary lapses? And do we not all desire to be “healing speakers”?
The answer is that inspiration—places were ideas come from—originates from three sources: God, self, and Satan. The Lord created us in His own creative image, and therefore our own ideas are a constant free-flow. But the other two are also in the mix; and when we are in a position of ministry (which is to say when any Christian speaks) things are cranked up a level. And critically important, if we’re talking to another, to do our best to speak HIS words. Again, His words and timing are perfect.
In my own experience, all three sources are part of life; they come and they go, sometimes wanted, sometimes unwanted. We sift through all of them, yielding to some, and ignoring others; and producing something of beauty for the Lord. However, in my experience, for better or for worse, those three sources seem to distill to only two sources: God and Satan. Not that our own words have no importance or place; but if these are allowed to continue unregenerated (that is to say, without God) they ultimately line up with evil — because the Enemy is always trying to make them such. And so it is that some of us become known for “words of death.” Not the intent, or even desire; but so it is.
In Matthew, the Lord instructs:
Matt 12:36
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.
(NKJ)
In another version, every “careless” word. Harsh stuff. Every idle word? Indeed; we are told that one of the things absolutely observed in heaven are the words we speak.
As an separate example, when an immature person begins to grow in the prophetic (when they begin to hear from God for others for the first time) they presume that everything they’re being told, they must immediately recount. This is not so. Only with maturity do they begin to ask, “Is this what You’re saying? And should I recount it now as I’m hearing it? Or at some other time—if at all?” Much to the surprise of expectation, the Lord often reveals his heart, not to be broadcast; but simply for the recipient to take those things in prayer.
Words are important to God. I remember an incident where a friend asked me in conversation to pray for something. And I said I would. —In that instant, the Lord spoke to me and said “Then you better do it now, or you won’t do it at all.” I learned, in that moment, to pray more instantly–and to understand better the value of our words.
So, how do we begin to draw more closely to the Father’s purposes in this regard? In the end I believe we would do well to ask of the Lord each time before speaking, “Are these the words You want me to say? And is this the timing?” Remember also that there is a time to speak, and a time to be silent. (Eccl 3:7). I personally try to do this with everything I speak, or even think. I’m not perfect in it; but I still understand the need.
On a different note, this theme of hearing from the Lord, and doing what He asks, is very much a hallmark of what this fellowship is about. Something that you’ll see of a theme throughout. Hearing (again, if we’ve ever been drawn to Him, we’ve all heard) is more common than many believe. But more importantly, Lord willing, we’ll spend a considerable time teaching that, once you’ve heard, to follow Him requires Him.