"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." Matthew 12:36-37

 Today’s text brings to mind something Joshua Harris wrote called "The Room." In a dream he found himself in a large room filled with files. The folders were labeled such as, "Things I’ve said in anger" - "Lies I’ve told" - "Lustful thoughts" - "Friends I’ve betrayed", etc. To his horror he discovered that these were the files of his life. Everything that he had ever done or said had been recorded for the Day of Judgment. One thought dominated his mind, -"No one must ever see these cards! - No one must ever see this room!"

 It was at this moment that Jesus walked into the room and began to read the files. "No, please No! As Jesus turned to look at me I could see this deep sorrow and then pity. He walked over and put His arm around me, but He didn’t say a word, He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the massive wall of files and began to sign His Name on each card. As I looked closely I could see "Jesus" written in His own blood on each of my cards. After He had signed the last card, He walked over and placed His hand on my shoulder and said, ‘It is finished!’"

 All of us have allowed ourselves to be used by the devil to bring grief to the Lord who loves us. We have all done things which we wish we hadn’t and said things which brought pain to others and disgrace to God. James wrote that the tongue is a restless evil and a deadly poison which no one can tame. He went on to say that the tongue sets our world on fire and is set on fire itself by hell. Keeping a bridle on our tongue is a constant struggle for most of us.

 Today’s text reveals that there will be no careless word spoken which will not be accounted for at the Judgment. We learned in Joshua’s dream that though he had many sins, and that they were all recorded, Jesus answered them in his place. Could it be the same for us who have been saved and made righteous by the blood of Jesus? The Bible says that Christ comes to the saints without reference to sin - meaning, we have no sin since our sins has been paid for by Christ.

 Could it be that Jesus will answer for every careless word we have uttered? Does He weep when we are so careless? Is He first saddened and then feel pity for us seeing our helplessness and regret? Beloved, let us not be so careless, for to keep us saved the Lord must taste the bitterness of the curse for us.