Day 4
Lisa Scheffler, author
I remember hearing that “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” a lot as a kid. As someone who’s always been into words (look what I do now), I needed the reminder that what was going on inside would inevitably bubble up and out of the mouth of a “Chatty Cathy.”
Yes, I needed to watch my words, but more than that, I needed to pay attention to how and why I spoke. I needed to note any anger, jealousy, pride, bitterness, deceit, or fear that had overtaken my heart and was affecting my speech. I think one of the reasons why there are so many proverbs that deal with our words, is that the misuse of them is often a symptom of a deeper, more serious disease.
Hearts who submit to the Spirit are filled with his love and those mouths speak life. Now, we’ll still make mistakes, but the more we find our identity in Christ, and allow the Spirit to work in the darkest corners of our hearts, the more we will be able to control our tongues (or our fingers in this text-based world).
As you read the following proverbs, make note of what each says about words and the heart.
Read
Proverbs 12:23 (NIV)
23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Proverbs 16:23 (NIV)
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.
Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 22:11 (NIV)
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.
Proverbs 26:23–25 (NIV)
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.
Ask Yourself
- What can we learn about the connection between speech and the heart from these proverbs?
Read what others say
From Tremper Longman:
“The adage ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ may be clever, but it was not formulated by a sage. According to Proverbs, words are life-bringing or death-dealing; they are certainly not harmless. Words are critical to the wise person as is indicated by the extensive number of proverbs dealing with the subject.
After all, Proverbs is a book of advice on how to navigate life successfully, and advice comes in the form of words, both written and oral. Great care is taken in the book not only with what is said but with how the message is communicated. Indeed, the sages who produced the book saved some of their most striking images to describe and advise their students concerning the difference between wise and foolish speech.”[1]
From Warren Weirsbe:
No matter what may be wrong with us physically, when the doctor examines us, he or she often says, “Stick out your tongue!” This principle applies to the Christian life, for what the tongue does reveals what the heart contains. Inconsistent speech bears witness to a divided heart, for it is “out of the abundance of the heart” that the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing,” wrote James. “My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:10).
…the key issue is the condition of the heart. If there’s war in the heart, then our words will be destructive missiles instead of healing medicines. “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth” (James 3:14, NKJV). Earthly wisdom advises us to fight for our rights and make every disagreement a win/lose situation, but heavenly wisdom seeks for a win/win situation that strengthens the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17, NKJV). Applying this wisdom means taking the attitude that’s described in Philippians 2:1–12, the attitude that was practiced by Jesus Christ.[2]
Pray
Think about times when you struggle to control your words. Can you identify what’s going on inside of you? For example, do you explode when you’re frustrated? Or when you’re fearful? Do you get snide or snarky when you are jealous? Or bitter? Do you lie to make yourself look better? Or to avoid being inconvenienced?
Invite the Spirit to speak truth over you and reveal areas where he needs to work. Let him treat the sickness at the root of your verbal sins.
Talk about it
Get honest today and talk about the verbal sins that you are most likely to commit. Use wisdom with what you share, but confessing to a trusted friend or family member can be freeing. Ask them to pray for you.
[1] Tremper Longman III, How to Read Proverbs (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2002), 145.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 114.
