Question 22: How Can Christians Take Deeds as Irrelevant When Jesus Warned About Every Idle Word?
The Question
Question 22: How can Christians take deeds as irrelevant after becoming one when Jesus says in Matthew 12:36, “But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”?
The Short Answer
Your main question is: Why should Christians be careless about their deeds when Jesus teaches carefulness even regarding the words we speak? The short answer is: No serious, biblically grounded Christian would ever be careless about their words or actions.
Grace Is Not a License to Sin
Christianity is not lawlessness, and divine grace is not a license to sin. Those who live carelessly under the pretext of grace are either twisting the Word of God for selfish interests or have been deceived by false doctrines that turn liberty into licentiousness.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11–14)
True grace does not render our conduct irrelevant. On the contrary, genuine grace instructs us in godliness, empowers us to reject worldly lusts, and produces a purified people who are zealous for good works.
Watchfulness Over Words, Deeds, and Thoughts
Deeds can be seen, words can be heard, but thoughts remain unseen until expressed. Yet Scripture teaches that God’s judgment extends even to the secrets of the heart and the motives of the mind. If we will be held accountable for every idle word, how much more will our deliberate deeds and hidden thoughts be evaluated?
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'” (2 Timothy 2:19)
Jesus’s warning in Matthew 12:36–37 emphasizes that our words are fruit that reveal the true state of the tree. A good heart produces good words and righteous deeds, while a corrupt heart produces idle, destructive speech and lawless actions. Salvation does not take away accountability or the reward for sin and all forms of disobedience. As established in the previous question, only those who obey the Father and walk in Christ’s teachings will inherit the Kingdom in the end.
Conclusion
As Christians, how we live and shine as lights in the world matters deeply. We cannot afford to be careless with our deeds, our words, or even our thoughts. True faith expresses itself through love and obedience, and true grace empowers believers to depart from iniquity and pursue righteousness.
Next, I’ll be answering the question: Can people go to heaven without believing in Jesus?
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