Shut Your Mouth or Change Your Heartfeatured

I’m sure that most of us have heard the popular phrase, “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. (Thank you to Thumpers’ mom for that one)  But how many of us find ourselves speaking things that aren’t nice, things that tear someone down rather than build them up?

It doesn’t even have to be about someone else!  How many of us tear ourselves down with our words?  “Man I am so dumb!”, “I look terrible today!”, “I can’t believe I did that, how ridiculous!!”

When you’re in that moment, saying those kinds of things, how does your heart feel?

What Does The Bible Say?

There are days when I’m walking around the house with a scowl on my face, being grumpy with everyone I come in contact with.  For some reason I woke up that morning feeling irritable and cranky and not wanting to have to deal with anyone.  

My husband approaches me and asks what’s wrong and I don’t even know.  I don’t even have a reason why I’m acting that way.  

Luke 6:45 says, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

The Bible is very clear that what you speak is what is in your heart.  When you’re condemning a person for their behavior or harping on someone because of how they look, your heart is evil.

I started paying attention to when I would have those bad, irritable days and I realized that it was when I hadn’t been spending much time in the Word.  I had been neglecting my time with the Lord.  My heart was changing from good to evil.

The heart change is part of the reason why it’s so important that we have a “renewing of your mind”.  When our mind and heart are set on the things above there isn’t room for evil.    

Have you ever tried to yell at your kids while you’re laughing, or argue with your husband with a smile on your face?

Try it, it’s not possible to be mad when you’re laughing or smiling!

That smile is like the renewing of your mind.  When you’re in God’s word, walking in love, surrounding yourself with him, your heart is pure, good; your heart is “smiling”.    

Don’t Let Him

Satan tries to come into your heart and steal your joy, your happiness, your contentment.  Don’t let him. 

Keep your heart and mind stayed on Christ.

Father,

Please help us to be an Ephesians 4:29 Christian.  Help us to keep a watch on our hearts and on our tongues so only what is helpful for building others up is what we speak.  Help us to be like you, that we show love to all people.

Amen