“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Matthew 12:36 NKJV
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV
“When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have established, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.”
Psalm 8:3-6 AMP
The word “idle” is translated careless, empty, useless, thoughtless, or worthless in various translations.
It is easy to develop religious cliches which may convey truth to the one speaking them while creating serious issues in the minds of those hearing them. To me, one of the most damaging cliches is one of the most commonly used…
…”God is in control.”
Is He really? If He is it is no wonder so many people walk away from Him when a needless tragedy steals the life of a precious son or daughter. No wonder we question His goodness when an earthquake kills thousands, or an accident leaves a loved one paralyzed.
Our words are critical as they have a huge impact on all those who hear them.
For me, I think a more accurate description of God’s involvement in my life is that…
…”God is in charge.”
It is clear in Scripture that there is an enemy whose bent on bringing destruction. He is the one who steals, kills, and destroys. It is also clear that God has delegated much authority and control to Adam and his descendants (that includes me) and therefore my poor words, choices and actions result in much of the harm and tragedy in this world. Bad things simply happen at times in a sick world in which we live independent of the One who created us abusing the authority and control that He gave us as those created in His image and likeness.
I am fully persuaded that God is in charge, but has chosen to partner with mankind and therefore is not always in control. He is a Good God who does not willingly harm His children. I have learned that when bad things happen in my life it isn’t God doing, or allowing them. However, He is involved in limiting them for my protection and good.
I am going to think twice before I speak knowing that one day I will be held accountable for every idle, careless, empty, useless, thoughtless, or worthless word that I speak. I needed…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 312: God is in Charge Part 1