The statement “You will be condemned by your words, and justified by your words” can be understood as a call to a deep awareness of personal responsibility for everything we say.

The Weight of Every Word

The statement “You will be condemned by your words, and justified by your words” can be understood as a call to a deep awareness of personal responsibility for everything we say. Words are viewed not merely as words, but as reflections of our inner state and spiritual essence. In the process of spiritual self-determination, every spoken word becomes a kind of measure of our choices, beliefs, and values. We bear personal responsibility: our words can serve either as evidence of honesty and righteousness or as a source of self-condemnation if they deviate from our inner spiritual ideals.

For example, one source directly indicates that every idle word will have its consequence on Judgment Day:
"I say to you, for every idle word that people may speak, they will have to give an account on the day of judgment: for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (source: link 12.txt)

This interpretation emphasizes that speech is an integral part of our spiritual choice. We determine how we manifest our faith and convictions through words. On one hand, a conscious, faithful choice of words can justify us in the eyes of the Lord, reflecting inner virtue. On the other hand, careless or harmful utterances become grounds for condemnation, as they reveal our inner state—even if hidden from the eyes of others.

Another source also points out that it is through our speech that we present ourselves before the Judge, meaning that our words hold the utmost importance in our spiritual self-awareness:
"Do not think, says the Savior... that you have the authority to speak or remain silent at will. Not by another's words, but by your own words will the Judge pronounce the sentence." (source: link txt)

Thus, the statement endows every word with significance, demanding a conscious approach to our utterances. It is not so much a restriction on free speech as it is a reminder that every word spoken is a declaration of oneself—a reflection of inner choice and, consequently, of one’s spiritual self-determination. If our words reconcile and affirm the purity we strive to cultivate within us, they help justify us; if they diverge from our ideals and true essence, they become the cause for condemnation.

Supporting citation(s):
"I say to you, for every idle word that people may speak, they will have to give an account on the day of judgment: for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (source: link 12.txt)
"Do not think, says He... that you have the authority to speak or remain silent at will. Not by another's words, but by your own words will the Judge pronounce the sentence." (source: link txt)