Jesus taught that people will be held accountable for every idle word. What is the meaning of “idle word”? To begin with, idleness in this context does not mean silence or inactivity. In the teachings of Jesus, we noticed that one can actually be busy or outspoken and still be guilty of idle words. Idleness in the light of the Master’s teaching is unproductive words. Whatever is spoken that does not add value or worse still reduces value should be taken as idle words. As we learned in previous meditations, words are powerful; they make or destroy. It is the more reason why Jesus would want His disciples to be careful of what they hear. So powerful are words that Jesus said they would form part of the basis by which people will be judged or rewarded on the last day.

Giving ourselves to the studying and meditating in the word of God as well as praying regularly will be of great help to escape the tendency of speaking unwholesome things.

Guiding against idle words, therefore, becomes a task that must be done. How do we go about this? It is by relying on the Spirit of God. James made a powerful submission about the tongue. “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James‬ 3‬:7‬-8‬ NKJV‬‬. If no man can tame the tongue, then we all need supernatural assistance. What is impossible with man is possible with God. Giving ourselves to the studying and meditating in the word of God as well as praying regularly will be of great help to escape the tendency of speaking unwholesome things.