Christians who may not think it matters what comes out of their their mouths may want to take a quick look at Matthew 12:36 which reminds us, “I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak” (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
What we say does matter.
Baptist Press ran an article entitled “Former atheist: ‘Life is better serving God’ on March 31.
The article, written by Rudy Gray, editor of the Baptist Courier in South Carolina, tells the story of Mike Rushton, a former atheist.
Rushton was taken to church by his mother as a youngster but his father saw no value in going to church and eventually Rushton followed the direction of his dad and stopped attending church as a teenager. At the age of 16 he went to work in a local cotton mill. At that point he noted that he “believed there was a God but I didn’t have any place in my life for Him.”
While working at the cotton mill, Rushton had a bad encounter with a woman who had taught his fourth grade Sunday School class. “I have been cussed out before, but I don’t believe any worse than she did,” Rushton said. “That had an impact on my life, and I remember it like it happened yesterday.”
He noted that he began to believe there was no difference between those who professed to be Christian and those who didn’t.
The words of that Sunday School teacher did matter.
While it was ultimately Rushton’s decision to drift from God, that Sunday School teacher was not a good witness.
The good news is that Rushton later gave his life to God and is now living for Him.
His story is a reminder that we, as Christians, must be constantly be on guard and choose wisely the words we use.
What we say does matter.
Before It Hits the Press... 
April 4, 2014 at 11:41 am |
Yes, we hurt all Christ seekers when our walk doesn’t match our talk. We all falter and are accountable for encouraging each other toward more Christ-like actions. Praise The Lord that this young man was able to feel Christ drawing him despite this experience.
April 5, 2014 at 4:51 pm |
I remember as a teen being in the house of the chairman of deacons at the church I was attending with my girl friend for a pool party. The pool house was attached to the play room of the house and the door was open. I was not a Christian at the time and the deacon was on the phone yelling and cursing worse than I had ever heard and I heard plenty within my own family. We were waiting to change into our suits is the reason we were there and he opened the door and started yelling at us to get the blank, blank out of his blank house as he was also drinking. Between his foul mouth and the extremely large bar right behind him, it was a long time before I came to Christ because I did not want to be anything like him. Words leave living lifetime impressions on us.
April 6, 2014 at 12:20 pm |
Using this today to make a point in Sunday School. Thanks for a great blog every week.