Today’s Reading | Matthew 12
Careless Word?
What does a “careless word” mean? How many of them will we give an account for? They are words that you say when you do not really think about what you are saying or how they might be received. How many of them do you speak in a day – words in haste or anger when you have lost control? Are they words about others when you are hanging out with after work? Are they responses to those you live with when they have borrowed something without asking? Think about them and then imagine what it is going to be like for you to give an account for every one of them. Can you ever say, “oh, it doesn’t matter?” Too often we excuse our words because we say we didn’t really mean it or because we were not thinking. This passage says that those excuses will not fly with God. Maybe it is time for you to think a bit more before you speak. How is Judgment Day going to be for you? Try to create a plan to begin to gain more control over your words. Circle “careless word” in verse 36 to remind you.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?