The Mouth: Gateway of the Heart

Small children are like parrots; whatever they hear; they say. I have worked with small children and you would not believe the words that came out of their little mouths. Little ones are never responsible for those words because they don’t know any better. They acquire language based on what the adults around them say. If your language is foul, their language would be foul. If you want to change their language you have to change your own. 

The same is true for us as people of faith. People will judge our relationship with God by the words out of our mouths. When I read Colossians 3:8, I had to pause especially when I read it in some different translations. The NKJV said, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” It hits the spot. However, listen to this verse in the Amplified Version, “But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.” That reading is very rough. Surely, this does not refer to people of faith and the words out of their mouths! I had to concede that if the Apostle Paul sent this in his letter to the church, his audience was definitely people of faith.

Jesus took the time to teach those around Him about the words out of their mouths. In Matthew 15:18 AMP He said, “But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.” In the world, honor is based on accomplishments and prestige. But, in the kingdom of God, we can be defiled or dishonored by the words out of our mouths. Paul also shared something in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].” Those words are there to guide us and bring change into our lives. Let the litmus test be, would what I say be a blessing? If the answer is no, stay quiet. Ask God to give you the right words to say. 

Thought for Today: Friend, when you manage your heart, your language will change.

Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.