Consider My Words

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45

"You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

Today it seemed the more I talked the more I made a mess of things. I'm learning more and more how my words hurt others. Some of you may be suprised to hear I am having a problem with my tongue because you rarely hear me speak, but do believe me, I do speak more often than I should sometimes, and I do tear down rather than build up at times.

I've been thinking frequently about the power of my words to destroy. I need to discipline my tongue. I think it is evidence of a heart problem. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." What is in my heart?

I am sure if I ask God to search my heart and reveal the condition of my heart to me, His Spirit will help me through His Word.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

I'd like to be like the man in Psalm 15:

[1] O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
[2] He who walks blamelessly
and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
[3] who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
[4] in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
[5] who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

As a member of the body of Christ, my words should build up believers in Christ and shine Christ's light to unbelievers. As with any such problem, I must make an active effort. Passivity never solved anything. Furthermore, consistency is crucial. The last thing I need is to let my flesh gain power after making some progress. Understand me that I am not alone in my efforts--indeed, I can in no way "put to death the deeds of the body" in my own power. Romans 8:13 says, "...if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." God provides supernatural strength when I am weak (2 Corinthians 12:10).

If you're battling your flesh (which most likely you are, since your flesh is ever-present and ready to raise its ugly head), I encourage you to keep fighting in the faith of Jesus Christ with prayer and the Word of God. We can become more like Christ and less like our old selves together!

I look forward to the Day when the battles are all over, don't you?

Other Scriptures:

"My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:" Psalm 39:3

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21

All Scriptures taken from the English Standard Version.