Confession – I am a complainer. I also lack patience with others. Those who live and work closely with me know this to be true. It’s a daily struggle and one that God has been working on. This past week at work, mostly as a joke I set up a virtual “swear” jar (virtual because I never have cash and when I say swear it’s really complaining and/or losing my patience with others). After just one day, I owe the jar about $20. 

The idea came out of a true and honest desire to change my bad habit of firing off words and complaints regardless of where I am and who is around. What I really want to do learn is to catch the words before they come, stop right then and pray instead. I figured I can save money for something fun, like a vacation while at the same time creating a visual reminder for me and those who work with me that I need to change this behavior. Then God, as He so frequently does, brought this issue home by taking me to Matthew 12:33-37. This is what those verses say (take note of the bold parts): 

“Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.  I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (CSB)

These are Jesus’ own words as He is speaking with the Pharisees, calling them out on their hypocrisy. In a word – OUCH! Do you get what Jesus is saying here? When evil (complaints, judgements, etc) come out of our mouths, they come from the evil that lives in our hearts! And in case you’re tempted to think your words really don’t matter, think again because one day each and everyone of us is going to have to give an account for every word spoken, even the ones we thought were funny! Let me say it again – OUCH! 

This isn’t the only place scripture addresses our words either! In Ephesians 4:25-32 the apostle Paul speaks about our words. Verse 29 is perhaps the most direct when he says “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” It’s pretty easy to ignore this when you feel your language isn’t that bad because it’s not like you are cussing. While cussing is included here, the word foul, according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary also means :offensive to the senses; morally or spiritually odious : detestable, notably unpleasant or distressing. Seems pretty clear that my words of complaint and/or judgement fit that definition. Even if they don’t, I know in my heart, they are displeasing to God! Therefore, they are sinful and need to be changed. 

The bigger issue for me is the part about how the words we say are an indication of what is in my heart. Why or what is creating the unsettledness that leads to the complaints and impatience? I’ll be honest and say I don’t know at this moment. But what I do know is God is faithful and if I earnestly seek Him in this, he will reveal whatever it may be. Not sure if I’ll keep the “swear” jar or not. I’m gonna have to pray about that as well. Because what I don’t want to do is make light of a serious issue.

Let me encourage you to take some time and think about your words. Will God be pleased when you are called to give an account for them? Or do you too, need to spend some time reflecting about is inside of you that causes hurtful, unkind, complaining words to come out of your mouth?