Heart Check

Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? Are you one that struggles with sound speech? Do you have a difficult time controlling your tongue?  If so, you are not alone, that’s for sure.

Having wholesome speech requires submission to the Holy Spirit and a willingness to obey the Lord every waking hour. It requires diligence and obedience to God’s Word on a moment-by-moment basis. It takes much prayer and serious commitment to confess every word spoken that is not pleasing to the Lord; yet, great reward is promised to the one who learns to bridle their own tongue.

Words are powerful.  They have the power to bring refreshment to a soul or the power to add to one’s burden.  The words we choose to speak can bring healing or harm to the people we talk to. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21a KJV, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue:”  That’s why we must choose our words wisely and with caution. This, also, includes the words we speak to ourselves in the recesses of our minds.

By paying close attention to the words we speak, the present condition of our hearts will be revealed to us. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 12:34b, “for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”  It is a humbling thought, but a true one. We may appear to be right with God on the outside, but the Bible tells us in James 1:26 KJV, “ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”  

It’s time for a heart check.  What type of words are coming out of your mouth?  Is your heart right with God?