Watch Your Words - Matthew 11 and 12

It is not always easy to use the English language correctly. One word can have two distinctly different meanings—quiet often two words have the same meaning. There are times when the meaning of a word or words can have different meanings that are related to the spelling of the word—and then the meanings of words may change, not because of the spelling, but by the inflection of the speakers voice. The message delivered can be totally misunderstood, not only because of the words you use, but by the way you WATCH YOUR WORDS. If you will slowly read this paragraph again and carefully think through what I have said, it will help you understand why this lesson is so important. Now try to imagine the addition of one more very special difficulty that enters into communication between two people that speak different languages that requires a translator.

Christ spoke with depths of meaning that were impossible for the Jewish people to fully understand. Take a few moments to read the last ten verses of chapter ten and you will see how difficult it must have been for the Israelites to understand the in-depth meanings of the teachings of Christ. “If you acknowledge me before men I will acknowledge you before God; but if you disown me before men I will disown you before my Father. “Do not think that I came to bring peace to earth…because I really came to bring a sword…I came to turn son against his father and daughter against her mother…” We can understand why the Jewish leaders were so upset at some of the words and ways Christ was using to explain his mission on earth.

Now we go on to chapter eleven, after Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he set out to preach in the towns of Galilee. John the Baptist was in prison when he heard about some of the things that Christ was teaching and doing. King Herod married his own sister-in-law and was rebuked by John for his lust and adultery and it finally caused him to be be-headed. In jail and facing death, it is easy to see why John began to wonder if Christ was real. John sent some of his followers back to inquire of Christ—“Are you the prophesied one…the coming messiah? Or, should we expect another?” Jesus sent the answer back by his disciples and he WATCHED HIS WORDS by suggesting that John look at what Christ was doing, and not what he was saying. Silently he answered by pointing to his acts of healing the blind, deaf, curing the lepers, raising the dead and preaching to the poor. This suggests to me that when we have doubts, we should simply turn and see what Christ has done and know that he will do likewise with and for us.

The other gospels indicate that John had caused some problems with his straight forward teaching…he was so successful that he actually acquired a following that thought he was the chosen one that would be the new Messiah. Christ chose this moment to send John his answer and to address the followers of John. Christ asked the crowds—what did you go to see? Did you think John was a limp weed, blowing in the wind—with no power connection with the coming messiah? Or, did you think you would see a powerful executive, dressed in great attire, showing his power and prominence? Actually it was neither…you should have been looking for a prophet…the great profit that was the messenger ahead of me…sent to prepare you for my coming. Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had been preaching and that had refused to repent. He used grievous examples telling them that they were worse than the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Then in the twenty-eighth verse he showed his compassion for those who are in trouble. He told them that if they were weary and burdened and would come to him…trust him…call upon his name that he would give them the rest they desired. He promised that his yoke was easy and light, but invited them to share in it to prove their love for him.

Chapter 12 brings us to one of the greatest arguments in the scriptures and it has to do with the keeping of the law. This is where we get involved with the arguments that require us to WATCH OUR WORDS. What does it mean when we say we should keep the Sabbath holy? Christ and his disciples were about the Father’s business seven days a week. It was on the Sabbath, they were hungry, they were in a corn field and so they gathered and ate. [This broke the law.] But Christ reminded them that the Sun of man was the lord of the Sabbath. They were reminded that Jesus was the creator of all things, even the law itself and therefore the creator is greater than his creation.

The purpose of the original and approved part of the law regarding the Sabbath was established to allow the priest and people to worship God by performing sacrifices and conducting worship. Jesus emphasized the intent of the law and not the words. Watch his words and see his intent first and then the letter of the law. Here as in other places in Matthew, they accused Christ of heresy and this is getting close to the unpardonable sin.

Leaving the cornfield where they harvested and ate, they went into the synagogue where a man with a shriveled hand was healed. The Jews were there waiting to accuse Christ of breaking the rules by healing on the Sabbath. They believed that a man in dire need could be stabilized but not healed. Christ simply asks if they had a sheep in a ditch in a critical condition, would they save him on the Sabbath—or leave him in the ditch to die. He knew that they would want to save their investment. His question then was; is a man not worth more than an animal in the sight of God? The answer being yes—he then stated that it is therefore lawful to do good on the Sabbath.

Jesus knew that the Jewish leaders were plotting against him, although there is no indication that he actually heard them plotting their scheme to kill him. It is comforting to a Christian to know that Christ knows our every word spoken…he even knows our thoughts that are unspoken and this emphasizes the need for us to pay attention to the central thought in our lesson today…watch your words… and thoughts, and do not envy or lust.

The crowds would build and as soon as he finished his work in each place he moved on in order to disrupt any local plotting against him. We have already seen that they were accusing him of casting out devils using the power of the Devil [Beelzebub]. In verse 22 he healed the man that was blind and mute. The people were astonished and some wondered if he really was the Son of David. Immediately the Pharisees heard them talking and countered by telling everyone that it was only by the power of Beelzebub that he was performing the miracles. Matthew did not say that Jesus did not hear them, but indications are that he knew their thoughts. Again, wee need to remember that he is with us continually and knows our every thought and move. Watch your words.

Jesus exploded their argument by reminding all that in order to use the power of the devil to cast out demons…he would be destroying Satan with Satan’s power—thus, he said, “A house divided against itself will fall.” In verse 29 he also explained that in order to rob a business or home, it is necessary to first defeat the owner or man of the house. We know that the Devil had already been defeated, His power was disrupted at the time of Christ’s birth; then in the desert of temptation Christ overcame his power to tempt God; and then at his resurrection he destroyed Satan’s major weapon—death. Our promises found in Revelation 20: 10 are that he has no ultimate power to destroy us but in the end time he will burn in a Devils hell.

If you have a friend that thinks he can remain neutral toward Christ and still be ok—that is think that his ‘good works’ is adequate you need to ask him/her to read verse 30. It is impossible for anyone to remain neutral about the acceptance or rejection of Jesus as their personal Savior. If you have not openly accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior—by your lack of action, you have already rejected him. Explain to your friend that his belief in God is not the same as repenting of sin and accepting him as savior. This is the most important conversation you will ever have with your friend, because you are dealing with the only sin that can not be forgiven. Sinning against your body or spirit can be forgiven—sinning against your friend, or neighbor, or spouse can be forgiven—sinning against Jesus Christ and God the father can be forgiven—but sinning against the Holy Spirit can not be forgiven. It is the unpardonable sin. The unpardonable sin is the continued deliberate refusal to accept and believe in God’s power through Jesus Christ, his son, and the continual refusal to heed the warning of the Holy Spirit. The repeated refusal indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of the heart.

The Holy Spirit is that small voice that comes to you and reminds you that you need to repent of sin and accept Christ as your savior in order to be free from your sin. When you continually ignore Him he may be patient for a time, but there is always the danger that he will say that he has had enough—I will not tarry with you any longer—and when that happens you are eternally lost because you can not come to God any time you want to come…you must come when the Holy Spirit beacons you to come. Do not fear or begin to doubt, simply say now: “Lord forgive me a sinner, come into my heart and allow me to live my life through you—I accept you as my Savior and you will be pardoned, saved, set free and nothing or no one can separate you from Christ. However, you can not fake it [v.33] says that everyone will know you are saved by the fruit you bear. Now in [vs. 34-36] is the important warning about watching your words.

Jesus is talking. He personally reminds us that the things we say reveals what is in our hearts. When you meet a friend or a friend calls you what kinds of words come from your mouth? Too often it is weather, rain, fishing, Razorbacks, sore backs, high prices, those liberal Democrats, those conservative Republicans, politics in general, and worst of all those backslidden hypocrites—or some unmarried pregnant girl. Not all are bad, but something that Christ is doing in your life for or with you, would please your Lord. You can not solve your heart problem by “Watching your words” however, by watching your speech and allowing the Holly Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and new motives it will lead to a cleansing of the heart and mind. “A good person brings good things out of the good that is stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned [vs. 35-36]. YOU BROOD OF VIPERS, HOW CAN YOU WHO ARE EVIL SAY ANYTHING GOOD [v. 34]? [All, everyone, that has not been born again is evil.]

Matthew wrote today’s lesson but Jesus taught it…see v.25…Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them…AND THE REST OF THE LESSON IS WRITTEN IN RED LETTERS. Good jokes bring laughter and are good for the soul. Smutty jokes condemn the soul. Our lesson title is: “WATCH YOUR WORDS!” And pray for me.