A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – September 9, 2019
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)
Many times we just automatically think that we know what an English word like “idle” means. We may hear a sermon where gossip and dirty jokes are referred to as idle words and think those are the type things Jesus is talking about. We never look at the word “idle” in its’ Biblical context or even look at the true English or Greek definitions.
For example, Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the meaning of the word “idle” as worthless, unfounded, to be inactive, to make inactive, or to operate without transmitting any power (like a car in idle). The Greek word used in Matthew 12:36 for idle is “argos” which is defined as idle, unprofitable, or injurious. One interesting side-note is that “Argos” is the name of a Greek mythical giant that is represented as two faced.
Now, let’s look closely at what Jesus said about idle words in Matthew 12:36. When we look at this entire chapter we see several important events that precede this statement. The following is just a short summary of those particular events:
- The disciples of Jesus were hungry and plucking grain from the fields on the Sabbath. The Pharisees responded by saying, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-2)
- Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed the man with a withered hand. The Pharisees responded with, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” And after the man was healed the Pharisees took counsel against Jesus on how they might destroy Him. (Matthew 12:10, 14)
- Jesus then healed a blind, mute, and demon possessed man and all the people that saw it were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But the Pharisees said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.”
Jesus introduced to all of us a very important truth at this point. A house divided cannot stand. Satan does not cast out his own demons. Likewise, the true Spirit of God does not come against the works and miracles of the Holy Ghost. The words that the Pharisees were speaking were “IDLE” words. They were disconnected from the power of the Holy Ghost. They were based on the traditions of man which makes the Word of God of no effect. They were words that transmitted no power. They attributed the works of the Holy Ghost to Satan and those are the type of words that are defined as, and that will be judged as idle words, and that is very dangerous.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:34-35)
