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. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 (NLT)
Jesus, this Scripture is the bottom line, the “skinny,” and the chase to which we must always cut, when it comes to stewardship of our words. The main issue isn’t tongue control, but heart fullness. Whatever I treasure in my heart will be reflected in the stream of my words.
This is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day—long before any other storyline or crisis, disappointment or aggravation, worldview or agenda grabs the attention of our hearts.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Prov. 18:21 (NIV)
How important is this issue of our words? Jesus, may this one little verse stay ever before us. We’re capable of bringing destruction and resurrection, eternal good and long-standing harm with our words. Help us to choose wisely today, Jesus; help us choose to live and speak as a means of your life-giving grace.
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Eph. 4:29 (NLT)
Jesus, you never command anything you don’t resource, so when you tell us not to emit any foul or abusive language, you’ve not exaggerating. That’s not the law of performance, but the way of freedom. Never let us get used to hurting people with our words, never.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Prov. 16:24 (ESV)
Jesus, no words are sweeter and more heart-healing that the words you speak to us. So grant us listening hearts as you sing to us today in the gospel, and may the overflow be for the blessing our of family, friends and neighbors. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.
