Matthew 12:34b NIV For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
What is overflowing from our hearts?
Love? Tenderness? Compassion? Or is it more often frustration? Anger? Criticism? Or perhaps jealousy?
Jesus was talking to the Pharisees when he spoke this verse from Matthew 12. Jesus knew exactly how to stir things up with them by speaking the truth. Their legalism, entitlement and hard hearts spilled over to their words and treatment of others.
How about us? What came out of your mouth yesterday when someone cut you off in traffic? When your spouse asked why you were late? When your child interrupted you for the fifth time?
Those unguarded moments? THAT is our hearts talking. The real man shows up when we are not trying. Perhaps you’ve apologized dozens of times for your words. But have you ever gone deeper? “I’m sorry; my heart is so full of impatience that criticism is the first thing that comes out.”
Most of us won’t do the hard work … the HEART work. We want to change our words without transforming our hearts. That will not work. The good news is we do not need to try harder. God is in the business of changing our hearts and filling us with Christ’s love.
Our Challenge: Before a candid conversation with someone, pray … “God, show me what my words reveal about my heart.” Then listen to yourself without judgment. Just observe.
Prayer: Lord, show me my heart, the real overflow, not the version I present to others. Whatever you find there, start the renovation. I realize I cannot change my words until YOU change my heart. Amen.
