I have always struggled with what I say. If I don’t think first, I tend to say things that are unkind or harsh. I can also tend to make generalized statements such as “all” “everything” “never” and the like.
My parents and brother would remind me to think before I speak and be careful how I say things. I took into more consideration what I did say and was more conscientious of what came out of my mouth.
What I noticed is that what I said, came from a direct thought in my heart. If I said something unkind or not true, I was speaking from my heart. If I said kind things or truthful things, I was speaking from my heart. Both times, what came out of my mouth was from my heart. The only difference was the intent of the heart. When I was conscience of what I was saying, my heart was in the right place. When I was lazy and didn’t watch what I was saying, then my heart wasn’t in the right place.
The Bible says “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.” Luke 6:45
If you have trouble with what you say, don’t worry about your mouth, focus on your heart. That is where the problem is.
As you have probably noticed, a lot of what I write about has to do with the heart, because that is where I believe all the problems start, and I also believe the scriptures confirm this as well.
Again, what comes out of the mouth is from the heart. I came across this verse recently and I really love it. “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Prov. 2:6 Our Lord’s heart is full of knowledge and understanding, and that is what He speaks to us.
What are some practical tips on how to make God pleased with what comes out of your mouth?
1. Check you heart.
What proceeds out of your mouth, comes from your heart. Look at your heart, is the desires and plans there pleasing to God? Are you joyful? Are you trusting God? Are you patient? If the answer is yes, then your mouth will reflect those things.
2. Think before you speak.
Even if you have been struggling with wrong desires in your heart, you can still think and pray before you speak– that alone is giving your heart a chance to correct itself before everyone finds out what’s going on in your heart.
What comes out of your mouth comes from the heart. Honor God with your heart, and you will honor Him with your words.
Don’t let others deceive you that it’s a mouth problem– it’s not. It’s a heart issue. Let God control your heart, and He will control your mouth.
