How do you know what is in your heart?
For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew 12:34
If you really want to know what is in your heart, just listen to what is coming out of your mouth. For me, this is a scary proposition. My words aren’t always the kindest. What is even worse, is the tone of voice that I sometimes choose to use.
What does this say about me? It lets me know exactly what I need to work on in my life. If my heart is annoyed by every little thing that doesn’t go perfectly, I am expecting perfection in a perfect world. Do I think I deserve perfection? I need to forgive and be patient if I want the same thing from others. I make plenty of mistakes, so I need that forgiveness and patience desperately!
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
Do others know what is in your heart?
Not only must we come to grips with the fact that God knows what is in our heart, but we have to face the reality that everyone who hears what comes out of our mouth will know too.
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:33-35
That is pretty scary stuff!
Here is something even scarier…
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 NIV
We have to give an account. Are we just stuck in a cycle of spitting things out of our mouths that we don’t really want to say?
What are some practical things we can do to love God with all of our hearts? How can we teach our children to guard their hearts and mouths?
- Pray
- Dig into the Word
- Practice being thankful. It’s hard to harbor negative feelings when you are busy being thankful.
- Worship! Turn on your favorite Christian music and belt out a tune. If you can’t carry a tune, just sing louder!
- Memorize scripture to really get it into your heart.
- Do something you enjoy to de-stress. When we are stressed out, crazy things come from our hearts and our mouths. Relax and have faith that God has it all under control.
Remember that we are all a work in progress. There is a great chance that you will mess up again. The good news is that we serve a God of second chances. He knows what is in your heart!
photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/72324736@N00/2454349299″>boys and girl, tonges out</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>(license)</a>
Carrie says
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
I love worship that comes right out of the scripture too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6EkmvRxfHo&list=RDF6EkmvRxfHo
admin says
That is the perfect verse for this! Thanks!
andrea says
praying and spending time in the Word every day…. 🙂
Marissa says
I have been memorizing verses more in the past year than in my whole life, and while I am no where near perfect, I know there has been a huge difference of what is in my heart, and what comes out of my mouth, as a result.
Valerie says
Yes, this is pretty scary stuff. Probably because it is SO true and it’s convicting! Thank you for causing me to search what is in my heart by examining what comes out of my mouth. Hard truth to hear but necessary for sure!
Valerie recently posted…How to Face Your Fears One Step at a Time
Maria says
Oh wow. I am fully aware that in my frustrations, I have not been speaking kindly to my children. I don’t think I reflected that I love them in my speech, and I’m convicted because it’s probably due to the fact that at that moment, I didn’t have love for them in my heart – be it due to stress, anxiety, or being aggravated. Thank you for bringing conviction upon me – I say that sincerely – you have opened my eyes to an area I need to repent in!
admin says
I can honestly say that I am in the same boat. Although convicted, I slip up far too often. I have gotten better, but still have so far to go. I love my little ones so much and want to act like it! We should have a support group!
Jennifer DeFrates says
I was just having this conversation over the holidays – out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The person I was talking to was horrified – “What is in my heart then?” Exactly, hun, exactly. But it takes great maturity to check your heart when other people make you angry and realize you’re angry because your expectations or heart isn’t right 99% of the time.
Jennifer DeFrates recently posted…Handling Hard in Friendship: Just Show Up
Thaleia from Something2Offer says
Great advice on how to get a better talk by working on things of the heart. Thanks for the encouragement!
Jonathan Key says
Out of the overflow of the heart comes the words from our mouths. It’s so true that we really need to watch what we say. It does really reflect who we are and what we’re about. Hopefully I speak more about Jesus than about anything else. That’s my prayer for this year!
Jonathan Key recently posted…7 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Network Marketing Company
Lauren says
It’s worse for those of us with no filter (adhd). It might be a handicap, but it holds me to a higher standard to keep my inner thought life pure. Lol
Lauren, RunHoly.com
Lauren recently posted…How to Start Intermittent Fasting (the Easy Way)
Brianna says
The overflow of the heart comes out in our words and deeds. He is Lord of all and he knows all. Even that thing we think we are hiding. He sees it. 🙂
Brianna recently posted…Daily Examen: A Proven Practice for Powerful Encouragement
Inez says
“If you really want to know what is in your heart, just listen to what is coming out of your mouth.” Ouch! This is so very true and scary! I love the tips you give, practical and helpful.
Inez recently posted…Signs That Your Baby is Ready to Eat Solids