“For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36 NKJ).
Put your words to work for you! Speak words that produce action, results or wages. This word idle is quite interesting. In the original New Testament writings, it is argos (ar-gos’). In the Greek, a is a privative negative, or as we say an “un” word. Argos refers to toil, labor, or any activity or work that pays wages.
Thus, “idle” words are words that are non-working unemployed, inactive – words having no utility. Jesus used the word argos in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard in which the owner asked the eleventh-hour workers, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” In other words, “Why are you not gainfully employed when there is work to be done?”
This verse is not an indictment against a sense of humor. Some Christians are so somber, joyless, and legalistic that they resent happy, joyful, or humorous people. Idle words are not anecdotes, aphorisms, metaphors, maxims, proverbs, or humorous stories.
Idle words are words that are unproductive. Since death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21), we are challenged to speak only words that generate life. Fill your mouth with praises. Let your speech be full of promises of God. Every time you quote a scripture at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, you are releasing faith. With careful attention, your words can be fully active, fully employed, fully working.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.