Straight from the Heart

This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link.

Straight from the Heart (Matthew 15:18)

Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

The heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Only God’s Spirit and God’s Word can change and control the heart. Why do we so often end up uttering words that make us sorry? Why do we find ourselves

• Harshly criticizing someone from church?
• Expressing discontent over minor annoyances?
• Roasting others with the intention to wound the people we love?
• Conveying information that makes someone look bad?
• Embellishing in order to prove a point?
• Repeating confidences, perhaps rationalizing, This person won't tell anyone?

We know in our spirits these things are destructive and wrong. So why do we do them again and again, no matter how many times we resolve to "do better next time"? All too often we can relate to James 3:8, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Jesus explained why the best intentions to say good and helpful things often fail: Luke 6:43-45, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” No wonder our attempts at self-control when it comes to gossip, grumbling, or angry outbursts are destined for failure! The problem is not with our mouths, it's with our hearts.

Critical words sprang from critical spirits, and it was these that needed to be addressed. The heart problems that led to my words were many. Whenever we have a recurring "speech problem" we need to look for its source. If we're perpetually complaining, it's likely we've never learned to be thankful, or to obey God's command to focus on the good and beautiful things around us (Philippians 4:8). On an even deeper level, we may be trying to gain control of our lives from God, demanding that things go our way and resisting the circumstances He brings into our lives for our good. Similarly, if we have a tendency to brag, it's likely we're seeking to please people more than to please God. If we "stretch the truth" to cover our mistakes, we may be unrepentant about our sin. If we angrily broadcast the sins of people who have wronged us, we have probably failed to forgive. If our speech centers on ourselves, or if we're prone to angry words, we may be lacking in love.

Paul knew that His words would have eternal impact only when He was led by the Spirit. He wrote in I Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” He urged the Ephesians to pray for him, “that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19). Our greatest hope of speaking life-giving words is to be in intimate fellowship with our Lord, learning to listen to His voice.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may I seek you with all my heart and not to wander away. Help me never to grow cold or calloused towards You, Your Word, or others. In Jesus name, Amen.

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