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 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 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. Hallelujah, we begin this Sunday standing in your grace and rooted in your love, objects of your affection and targets of your delight.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Prov. 18:21 (NIV)
How sobering. By what we say, we’re capable of bringing resurrection and destruction, eternal life and deadly harm. Jesus, help us choose wisely today. May even our body-language speak mercy and grace. 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)
May we never get used to hurting people with our words, never. May we never try to justify our contempt, shaming and biting words. There’s always a redemptive way to express our hurt, disappointments, and frustrations. We’d love to become fluent in this kind of heavenly tongues. 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 more gracious and heart-healing that the words you speak to us. So, grant us listening hearts as you sing to us today in the gospel, speak to us in the Scriptures, and encourage us through our friends. And may we offer a steady stream of wisdom, encouragement, and hope to others. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.