A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – October 21, 2019
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)
As I look on the signs and sounds of the present times, I see and hear the signs and sounds of an approaching revival. I see it in the countries of Africa and South America. I see it and hear it in our praise and worship music. I see it and hear it in the preaching and teaching from various Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists in the Body of Christ.
There are multitudes coming to the Lord in other nations around the world. Are you aware of that? Some are predicting that the majority of the publication of Gospel literature, and the sending out of evangelists, will soon be coming from other countries to the United States. We certainly need it!!!
What I hear in the Spirit is that we need to prepare for an outpouring like we have never seen before. It is time to quit playing church in this country and get very serious about the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12 is a key chapter in this preparation. It’s almost like a warning!
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)
We never look at the word “idle” in its’ Biblical context or even look at the true English or Greek definitions. For example, Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the meaning of the word “idle” as worthless, unfounded, to make inactive, or to operate without transmitting any power (like a car in idle). The Greek word used in Matthew 12:36 for idle is “argos” which is defined as idle, unprofitable, or injurious. One interesting side-note is that “Argos” is the name of a Greek mythical giant that is represented as two faced.
Now, let’s look closely at what Jesus said about idle words in Matthew 12. When we look at this entire chapter, we see several important events that precede this statement. The following is just a short summary of those events:
1. The disciples of Jesus were hungry and plucking grain from the fields on the Sabbath. The Pharisees responded by saying, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-2)
2. Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed the man with a withered hand. The Pharisees responded with, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” And after the man was healed the Pharisees took counsel against Jesus on how they might destroy Him. (Matthew 12:10, 14)
3. Jesus then healed a blind, mute, and demon possessed man and all the people that saw it were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But the Pharisees said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.”
Jesus introduced to all of us a very important truth at this point. A house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-30). Satan does not cast out his own demons. Likewise, the Holy Spirit does not come against His own works and miracles. The words that the Pharisees were speaking were idle words. They were based on the traditions of man which makes the Word of God of no effect. They were words that transmitted no power. They were words that attributed the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. Those are the type of words that are defined as, and that will be judged as, idle words.
It’s time for all of us to get our house in order and quit attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. All idle words will be judged! We need the Holy Spirit! People need to get saved, healed, delivered, and filled with the Holy Spirit! However, most of these actions are not even welcome in many of our churches today and that needs to change.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the
world to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)
It’s time for religion and the traditions of man to go! Judgment begins in the House of the Lord! It’s time we start judging ourselves!
