Costly Speech

I am in a Jewish Torah study, and we are currently going precept by precept through the book of Leviticus. It is worth studying since all scripture is profitable. (2 Tim 3:16)

There is a passage in Leviticus 5 that causes us to pause. It has to do with the use of careless speech. Solomon also had something to say about this. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Prov 15:4

The Apostle Paul had strong language on the matter as well. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 4:29

But in the law it is written, “Or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.” Lev 5:4-6

Wow! What does that cost? Today a young sheep or goat goes for about $230 according to a USDA market report. What if every time you spoke in a cross tone or used foul language, you had to fork over to a ministry, say, $200? What would your total monthly expense be?

From the above you can see that the Lord is more interested in our righteousness than our results. See what it is like to work with righteous, godly people in the world of missions. Start here at missionnext.org—a great place to explore. It’s free!