The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Psalm 37:30-31 NKJV
To speak of wisdom and justice one must have God’s Word securely hidden away in his heart. For the things proceeding from our mouth come from the heart (Matthew 15:18). Jesus taught us out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). He also warned us we would be either justified or condemned by our words (Matthew 12:37). Let’s face it, how many times have we said something we regretted later?
Jesus knows us when he asks “How can you, being evil, speak of good things?” The truth is we can’t speak good from our own resources because of our fallen sinful nature. James 3:6 says the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Proverbs 15:14 says “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of the fools feeds on foolishness.” What are we feeding on today?
We need to be careful with our words. We can use words to build others up or tear them down. Jesus told us for every idle word spoken we will be accountable in the Day of Judgment (Matthew 12:36). This should compel us to use words sparingly and to make sure the words we do use are pure and pleasant and pleasing to the Lord (Proverbs 15:26).
So far we’ve learned our sinful and foolish nature prevents us from speaking good. How can we every speak good? There is good news, Jesus taught us a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and that means we can do (Matthew 12:35). Through Jesus Christ in us, we can be good and bring forth good things. But we have a responsibility to store up good in the treasure of our hearts.
How do we do that? We immerse our self in God’s Word. We find ways to fill our mind with His goodness. We read His Word daily. We listen to His teaching whenever possible. Maybe we start listening to Bible teaching on the radio as we get ready for work or while driving anywhere. We memorize God’s Word, so we’ll never be with out it and so the Holy Spirit can bring it forth when we need it.
We are blessed with many opportunities to receive God’s Word. We have churches to attend, tapes/CDs to listen to when we miss church. There’s even on-line streaming audio message of church services available. We have books, magazines, email devotions, newsletters and of course the Bible itself. Between radio and internet technologies we really have no excuse for not getting enough of God’s Word stored away in our hearts.
Stop and consider the words we speak. Are they words of good building others up, coming from God’s Word stored in the treasure of our heart? Or are they evil words of envy, strife, anger, fear and selfishness pouring out of an evil treasure stored in our heart?
Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NKJV says “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.”
Oh that you would choose life and good that come from embracing God.
Lord thank you for your life-giving word. Enable us to keep our mind set on you. Help us to seek you in all things and store good treasure in our hearts that our words may be helpful to the hearers. In Jesus’ name Amen.
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