(by Pastor Norman)

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matt 12:36; ESV). I am sure we have all at some time found ourselves in a conversation where we slipped into careless words about someone or something; perhaps those words were critical or judgmental comments? God’s word encourages us not to be judgmental (Rom 14:10-13, Matt 7:1-5, James 4:11-12) or speak evil of anyone (Titus 3:2). Those first 5 verses of Matthew 7 always catch my attention. We are exhorted to remove the plank from our own eyes before we concern ourselves with the speck in someone else’s eye. In summary that means let’s judge ourselves before we judge or criticize others. In scripture, we are encouraged to be quick to listen and hear and slow to speak (James 1:19), treating or talking of others as we would want them to treat and talk about us (Matt 7:12). Let’s make sure we have the facts or truth when we discuss issues (Eph 4:25) and let love be our motivating force (1 Cor 13:4-7, 1 Peter 4:8). “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess 5:11; ESV. See also Heb 10:25). “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, 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; ESV). Wow! If we all entered our conversations with God’s word in mind, in His grace and love, what amazing, powerful places our churches would be!