Articles
WORDS SPOKEN IN SECRET
During the time of the prophet Elisha, the king of Aram was warring against Israel (2 Kings
6:8ff). The king of Israel was warned to avoid certain places because the Arameans were there.
This infuriated the king of Aram so much that he began questioning his own servants as to who
was giving away their location. One of his servants told him that it was Elisha, “who tells the
king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom” (2 Kings 6:12).
Imagine that your every word, no matter where you spoke them and to whom, was broadcast
for everyone to hear. Would it change the words you used? Would it change the way in which
they were spoken? (Oh, FY I: the walls of the new building are not nearly as “sound proof” as
you may think!). Perhaps it is because of the demand for “tolerance” by society, we have fallen
into the sin of thinking we can say, tweet or post anything we like and everything will be just
fine.
Maybe a quick reminder that we, as Christians, are to be setting a higher standard for the rest
of society. Not only in our worship to God or in the workplace, but in everything we do. Note the
words of the wise man, Solomon. “He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who
repeats a matter separates intimate friends” (Pr. 17:9). “The words of a whisperer are like
dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body” (Pr. 18:8). “For lack of
wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal
to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Pr. 26:20-21).
Jesus teaches that the words we use identify the type of person we are. “...For the mouth
speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is
good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every
careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For
by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:34-37).
James speaks of the inconsistencies of one who will bless our Lord and Father and then turn and
“curse” men (Jas. 3:1-12).
Brothers and sisters, we need to re-examine the things we say and how we say them. And
just because we say them in secret, or only share them with one other, does not justify what we
say. We were taught at one time, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.”
It is time we return to that way of thinking. “Oh, be careful little mouth what you say, for the
Father up above is looking down in tender love…” Remember, we will be judged for what we
say, whether spoken publicly or in secret. ~P. Mowrer
