Our Speech

So far in this series, I have established that our spiritual heart health, like our natural heart health, is determined by our identity, our diet, and our lifestyle.

Now, I want to turn my attention to four tests for a healthy heart: our speech, focus, thoughts, and choices. These act as warning lights on our spiritual heart monitor.

The first of these, our speech, is perhaps the easiest signal to read. Jesus said, “…the mouth speaks what the heart is full of…” (Matthew 12:34), and Paul the apostle wrote that, “…it is with your heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…” (Romans 10:10).

Our hearts and our speech are inextricably connected. Our words can either acquit or condemn us, heal or hurt us - but they will always reveal us.

No wonder in the passage we are considering, it says, “…keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips…” (Proverbs 4:24). Lies, gossip, and profanity are not just sins, they are indicators of a heart problem.

What do you find yourself saying when you are under stress?

Do you tend to exaggerate or twist the truth to make yourself look better?

Is your language clean or unclean? Do you believe one thing but say another?

Robert