For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. Matthew 12:34b-35
As we have been thinking about the tongue and the power of our words this week, one thing has become clear. All of us have said things that we now regret. We have blurted out hurtful words that we instantly wanted to take back. These moments make us think, "Where did that come from?" The truth is, these words we speak are an overflow of what is in our hearts. Therefore, if we want to guard our words, we must guard our hearts.
Jesus Himself taught that our words are an overflow of what is in our hearts. Matthew 12 records that He taught one day, "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad" (verses 33-34). He continued, "For whatever is in your heart determines what you say" (verse 34). Then, He taught, "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart" (verse 35). In other words, our fruit, or our words, that we produce come straight from within. If we are grateful, our words will reflect our gratitude. If we are jealous, our words will reflect that jealousy through critical, unkind words. The words we say give people a window into our hearts. Even more, Jesus taught us to give an account for every word we speak (verse 36).
If we want to guard our words, we must guard our hearts. We must echo the words of the Psalmist David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything that offends You and lead me along the path of everlasting life" (verse 24). May God examine our hearts and reveal any sin or anything that offends us so we may turn away from it. As we guard our hearts by allowing God to search us and know us, we will also find that our words are impacted. After all, "whatever is in your heart determines what you say."
Have you said something recently that you knew was hurtful? Have you torn someone down who you should have been building up? It is time today to confess that sin. Confess the sin first to God. Tell Him that you are sorry for hurting others with your words. Then, apologize to the people you have hurt. Tell them you are sorry for tearing them down and committed to using your words to bring life.
Matthew 12:30-37
"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
31 "So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven-except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33 "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
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