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2026-06-28: 3rd Sunday of Paoune - “By Your Words”

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

The words that we speak should not be taken lightly. By my words I will be justified and by my words I will be condemned...

  • "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)
  • "But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22)
  • "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." (Matthew 15:11)
  • "If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2)

You see the great danger of my words? This is why many of the great saints and desert fathers preferred to live in silence.

This is why St Arsenius said: "I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having been silent."

Words of Condemnation

What are some of these Words of Condemnation:

  • Filthy Language
  • Lying
  • Blasphemy
  • Mockery
  • Harsh or Angry words
  • Bitterness
  • Gossiping
  • Envy
  • Talk of pride or boasting
  • Exaggeration
  • Words of hypocrisy or deceit
  • False witness and repudiating others
  • Foolish disputes and prattle
  • Talk that when it is poured into the ears of others, defiles their purity or their thoughts or their faith or their knowledge
  • Talk that damages relationships or causes friction
  • Talk that changes someone's mind about his friends
  • Making excuses
    • Problem of Excuses - Words of Spiritual Benefit 1.5
  • Complaining or Grumbling
  • Idle words

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19)

The one who is quick to talk and rushes into speaking is bound to err. And once we have said a word, we cannot get it back.

Words of Justification

There is such a thing as useful talk!

The saints used to travel from the farthest ends of the world, just to hear a "word of benefit" from the mouth of one of the fathers. 

  • "It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." (Matthew 10:20)
  • "O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise." (Psalm 51:15)

Words of Justification:

  • A word of blessing
  • A word of comfort
  • A word of encouragement
  • A word of solution
  • A word of guidance
  • A word of teaching
  • A word of rebuke if it is said with love

Gentleness

  • A spiritual person never uses harsh words, but gentle ones because gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit
  • The Lord Jesus when He talked to the Samaritan Woman
    • Although she is very sinful, the Lord says to her: "You have well said, 'I have no husband', for you have had five husbands and the one whom you now have is not your husband.'"
    • See His gentleness even in using the word husband... none of those five were technically a "husband" but He did not choose to use a harsh word.
  • Instead of hurting people, try to win them
  • St Paul, when he went to Athens, he saw the city is full of idols... how did he address them?
    • "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious..."
Timing

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes." (Proverbs 26:4-5)

See these two verses... they seem to be exact opposites of each other! Do not answer a fool according to his folly... answer a fool according to his folly.

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