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)
Lord Jesus, this Scripture is the bottom line, the “skinny,” and the chase to which we must always be cutting. The main issue in life isn’t tongue control, but heart fullness. Whatever we treasure in our hearts will be reflected in the choice and stream of our 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. Thank you that we begin today standing in your grace and rooted in your love, objects of your affection and targets of your delight. Make this good news be more defining than any other.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Prov. 18:21 (NIV)
By the redemptive pestering of your Spirit, don’t let us forget this this one little verse. Through what we say, we’re capable of bringing resurrection and destruction, eternal good and long-standing harm. Help us choose wisely today. Help us live and speak as a means of your life-giving grace… even with our body language. Give us “a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (Isa. 50:4).
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, may we never get used to hurting people with our words, never. May we never try to justify our contempt. There’s always a redemptive way to express our hurt, disappointments, and frustrations. Teach us Lord.
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.
