We Speak From the Heart

It is true, when we truly speak we speak from the heart. We have to remember that we are emotional creatures and as such, we speak with emotion. Even in calculated speaking, we end up speaking from the heart.

34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” – Matthew 12:34-35 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking in the synagogue here and is being constantly challenged by the Pharisees and scribes. He points out that where there seems to be speaking from a place of reverence, the hypocrisy in the Pharisees and scribes it known. He is pointing out that where there is speech to the law and the good, the actions speak a different story. The true self is displayed whether good or evil, as that is what is found in the heart.

What does this mean for you and me? Well, I see this as the chance for us to get right in the heart that what comes from us will be that of good and not evil. We are to be speaking good and the way for that to manifest is for us to be filled with good to that good flows from us.

37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:37 (ESV)

When it comes down to our judgment at the feet of Jesus, we will be judged as to the words we speak and the actions we take. We have to remember that people are listening and watching. When they hear, they take note and then the see if/when the actions match or not and from there they take things on for themselves based on that they witness. The Pharisees and scribes were known for saying one thing and doing another, and therefor were not as trustworthy as one might think. Would we be the same as them?

We are to fill our hearts with the good of the LORD and then allow that good to flow from us. We are to say and then do to ensure that those around us are witnessing the same goodness from both ends. When we do, we will be doing the work of the LORD and bringing about His glory to the world. We will be judged by that which flows from us, I am working to choose good from the heart, both in deeds and in speech.

What is coming from your heart? Are you saying one thing and then doing another? What if you were to fill your heart with the LORD and allow Him to flow from you, the goodness that He is?

Judged, It is About the Heart

5Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in man

and makes flesh his strength,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.’”

7Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.”

10I the LORD search the heart

and test the mind,

to give every man according to his ways,

according to the fruit of his deeds.”

— Jeremiah 17:5, 7, & 10 (ESV)

Whether we are blessed or cursed, it is the LORD who makes that judgment and it comes from His examination of our heart.

I believe that in this world, we want to be judged by the actions that others see. And where actions speak louder than words, it is the condition of the heart that the LORD is looking to. Where are the actions coming from that is judged by the LORD, not the actions results or the idea that the actions are even being done. The LORD is looking to the heart as to where we were and are as relates to those actions.

Action is needed, yes, and we should be taking action to impact the world that is in need. But, that action should be a result of the heart’s condition and not to make a splash for the world to see. Yes, the world may look at you to say you have done a great thing, and we should not discount the impact made on the world. It is the condition of the heart that the LORD is looking to, not the results of the actions you are taking. We may not solve all the problems of the world with our actions from the heart, but we will do the work God has for us to complete and on this we should looked to be judged by Him.

What are you being judged for? Are you looking to do actions that garner attention from the world in hopes that you are looked on favorably? What if you looked more inward at the heart and allowed your heart to drive your actions knowing that the LORD is judging you based on the condition of your heart?