You know I talk to much, I’ve mentioned that before. But I’m trying a new thing. Not talking as much. It’s been a little hard, but I heard something a while back that stuck with me. It made such an impression on me that I wrote it on a sticky note and put it on my monitor at work, right where I can see it all the time.
Is it…
Unkind?
Untrue?
Unnecessary?
Heard these words in a sermon, you may have heard it too. I can’t remember the sermon title or even what it was about, but I do remember it was used as a measure for words. I thought I’d give it a whirl. I think it’s about what I say and not as much about how much I say – maybe that too.
I’ve considered posting these words everywhere as a reminder to myself. You know, in the car, in the barn, on the bathroom mirror, on my nightstand, on the fridge, the palm of my hand. These words made such an impact on me. I pray the impact doesn’t wan.
Here’s the thing, it already has. Oh sure, I repeat them over and over, but it seems that since I’ve taken up the chore (should it be a chore?) of sticking to it, I’ve gotten worse at it. You know what I mean? Maybe it’s not that my words are more unkind, untrue, or unnecessary… Maybe it’s that I’m simply more aware of my words – thank you Lord! Boy, when I listen to myself, my conversations, my words, they can sting – sting for those I’m talking about (how could my words be so unkind, so untrue, so unnecessary), sting for myself (who the heck do you think you are, Beth?) – sting for my Lord (that’s His reputation I’m damaging). Ahhhhh!!!! Anybody else out there, or am I alone in this?
You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good works from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. Matthew 12:33-34
I think Jesus just called me out. Oh sure, he was talking to the Pharisees but my words are sometimes evil. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the Pharisees but I do know they had heart troubles. I guess I’m not much different. I’ve been a Pharisee, unfortunately, sometimes I still am. Not proud. Sometimes I have heart troubles and they are reflected in my words. Untrue. Unkind. Unnecessary. Let’s read on…
And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37
This is just going from bad to worse, isn’t it? By my words, my face, and the flailing of my arms, folks will know exactly what’s in my heart. Even worse, my words seal my fate. Holy moly. Here’s the lowdown friends…it’s all about the heart, it’s always about the heart!
Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Luke 6:45
The problem is that our hearts have an impact on other folks. The sinful words that flow from my heart may be causing someone else heart trouble – I know, I know, everyone’s responsible for their own hearts, true, but nothing in this world is said or done without having an impact on another.
The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself… Sometimes it can praise our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been in the image of God. James 3:5-9
Here we go again – called out. The words flash – unkind, untrue, unnecessary. Sometimes. I’m convicted. Here’s the thing. I can’t just change my words, well of course I can, but that’s not a permanent fix. Changing my words only treats my symptoms. I need to change the disease that’s causing my symptoms – a faulty, diseased heart. Here’s the other thing, I am not capable of changing or healing my heart, only God can do that. I am powerless to do the right thing without the Holy Spirit.
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death…Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. Romans 8:2
It’s not a measure of our words – unkind, untrue, unnecessary. It’s actually a measure of our heart. Allowing the Holy Spirit to control our mind and make right our heart will allow us to change our tongues. Praise God!