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Matthew 12:34 - Speech Reveals the Heart.

Matthew 12:34 (NLT) 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.

INTRODUCTION

What if everything we have ever said were to be played back for all to hear? Jesus reminds us that what we say reveals what is in our hearts. What kinds of words come from your mouth? They reveal what is in your heart. You can't solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY

   It's easy to discover the condition of someone's heart; just listen to their speech. Jesus said the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Some people disguise their hearts well, but eventually whatever is inside will come out.
   Peace and joy can flow from our mouths if we allow Jesus to change us from the inside out. Our constant prayer should be "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3). If we meditate regularly on God's Word and allow ourselves to be filled with his Spirit, we can overcome the condition of our wayward hearts. Through setting our hearts and minds on treasures not of this world, but on God's eternal kingdom, our tongues can be tamed, and we can show others Jesus' redeeming love. [NIV Once A Day Bible]

Tip over a glass full of water, and water spills out. Why? Because that's what was inside the glass. Whatever fills the glass is what comes out of it when it is tipped over. The same is true of the human heart. Jesus said that our mouths speak out of the fullness of our hearts. When circumstances or people bump into a heart full of love, love spills out. But bump a heart full of anger, and anger spills out. Missionary Amy Carmichael said, "A cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted." If we want to know what is in our heart, all we have to do is look closely at the speech that flows from within us. [NIV Once A Day Bible re Luke 6:45]

The tongue is the indicator of the person.  What we talk about all the time is what we live.  The words we use and the words we don't use define what we are thinking, feeling, and becoming.  [Karen Burton Mains; Time with God devotional SB]

ILLUSTRATION

   I happened to be visiting my daughter Holly's family, when two of my grandkids, Lilah and Roman, had dental checkups. After their exams, the office assistant dragged out a big cardboard box shaped like a pirate's chest. Roman and Lilah leaned over and rummaged through the pile of rings, bracelets, whistles, and tiny animals - all made from thin plastic. What looked like treasure to my grandkids looked like a pile of junk to me. I knew something they didn't: whatever they took home would likely be cracked or broken by the next day.
   While growing up, I had learned that what others call "treasure" isn't necessarily something valuable - it may be worthless. Jesus taught that treasures can even be evil. He explained that speech reveals the true spiritual condition. My words will be worthwhile when I've stored up good treasures in my heart: prayer, Scripture passages, memories of God's goodness, time spent with godly people, noble thoughts as described in Philippians 4:8. Or my words will tend toward evil if I've accumulated evil treasures: anger, resentment, unresolved issues from my past, dwelling on my disappointments, exposure to ungodly reading material and images.
   What comes out of my mouth reflects whatever I've stored up in my heart and mind. Jesus wants me to store up only good treasures so that my speech and conversations honor Him and bless those who hear me. With His help, the words that come out of my mouth can be treasure worth keeping. Dianne Neal Matthews
   Faith Step: Think about recent conversations you've had. What kind of treasure did your words reflect? [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 23:7a - What You Think - - You Are!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230930-0941.html

Proverbs 4:23 - GUARD YOUR HEART!!!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240629-0829.html

Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250707-1458.html

James 3:8 - We Need Christ For Speech Control.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220228-0931.html