May 26, 2022
Out of the Abundance of the Heart
Post a guard at my mouth; God set a watch at the door of my lips. Don’t let me so much as dream of evil or thoughtlessly fall into bad company. And these people who only do wrong- don’t let them lure me with their sweet talk! May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me, don’t let sin anoint my head. I’m praying hard against their evil ways! (Psalms 141:3-5 Message)
Beloved child, think about this: ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’ Whatever you speak or do reflects what is really in your heart. (Matthew 12:34) “If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree. (Matthew 12: 33) Be aware of people who are false prophets or pretend to be someone they are not.
1. Pay attention to their actions!
2. Listen to their words and how they speak.
3. How do they treat people?
4. What is their attitude like?
Anyone can be well-behaved for a season, but how are they long-term? You can identify a person by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. (Matthew 7:17) Many have minds like a pit of snakes! How can you believe what they say is worth anything when they are so foul-minded? It’s their heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to their words. (Matthew 12:34) A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces rotten fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. So, every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 7:18-19)
Let me tell you something: Every one of your careless words is going to come back to bite you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:36-37) You reap exactly what you sow! (Galatians 6:7) Everyone will give an account of every idle word they have spoken on judgment day. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) Guard your tongue! Ask the Father to post a guard at your mouth and mine, set a watch at the door or our lips! (Psalms 141:3)
