Words

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.—Luke 6:45

I can still remember it like yesterday. Not so much the joke I made, but how my mom speared me with ‘the look’.

Her eyes flashed. “Jesus said, ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’

My initial response was typical. A childish and rebellious eye-roll followed by deny and defend. But her words took root in my heart. They’ve never moved out.

Was the momentary rush from a zinger worth the price? Click To Tweet

Later I learned Jesus also said, “let your yes be yes and your no be no; anything beyond these is evil.” James would write, “the tongue is a fire…and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”

Apparently what comes out of our mouths is not a subject to be taken lightly. #devotional #christian Click To Tweet

So often words are thrown around carelessly and written off later as just a joke—it may not feel like a joke to everyone. What about the things we say when we’re tired, cranky, stressed? How often are they written off with flimsy excuses? If our words showcase what fills our hearts, is it possible to gauge what we love most by what we’re always talking about?

Action step:

Do a conversation audit today. Jesus says our words are evidence of what fills our hearts. What are our words saying about the state of our hearts?

Words

See Original Post at Pierce Point Community Church Blog…


Click Here

14 thoughts on “Words”

    1. Lol. Sometimes sharp intellect can love a perfectly zinged comment. But what a great thought, Nancy. “Love the zinged better.” That should be a t-shirt.

  1. Words really do matter. Writers know that, and especially that every word matters. And they are powerful either for good or bad. Relationships depend on them. I’m going to try that audit this evening. Thank you for this challenge.

    1. I’ve been reminded of that myself quite a few times over the past two weeks, Stephen…the thought that writers know the value and power of words. What a blessing and responsibility God has given us when we use them.

  2. Stephanie, this post was a powerhouse! And what truth. Our words sneak out, sometimes without our permission, and provide a magnifying glass into our souls. Oh Lord, help me dwell in Your Word, so that Your heart takes over more of my heart!

  3. Ouch! This certainly stepped on my toes, Stephanie. But I needed it. 🙂 I have a thing where I like to quote Luke 6:45 to others. Like when my husband says something then tries to pretend it was said in jest. And that’s a whole other saying, “Many a true word is spoken in jest.”

    The Lord’s had me in His classroom about my own words and taking ownership of them.

    Good insight in this post. Love this, “Do a conversation audit today. Jesus says our words are evidence of what fills our hearts. What are your words saying about the state of your heart? ” “Conversation audit”…that is brilliant!

  4. I like the idea of a conversation audit. If we look back at the things we’ve said, it can show us where our heart has been. Then we can either continue on or correct something if needed.

    1. Yes, Jennifer. I know that I had to stop myself and seek forgiveness this week for something I said while I was upset. My words revealed the pride that was in my heart and I was so ashamed to have said them. Thank God for forgiveness and understanding.

  5. Yet another timely comment! Now I know why I couldn’t get to your post until today. This: “If our words showcase what fills our hearts, is it possible to gauge what we love most by what we’re always talking about?” Yes! That is 100% true. Thus saith the Lord. Our hearts require such tending. All we need is a few days, or maybe even one, of just “coasting” through life without constant awareness of our hearts and our Savior, and out of our mouths burst the real state of our hearts. Yucky stuff. You’re absolutely right! Thank you! Now to go forth and pay attention.

    1. Yes! So much yucky stuff gets in there. Flows from there. Can stagnate in there if we don’t do what you just said: tend our hearts. Thank you for your insight, Melinda.

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: