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?

Let Known to Serve the LORD with Your Heart

This morning I was reminded of a pretty big deal, let others know to serve the LORD with the whole heart. The context came from “David’s Charge to Solomon” (title of the passage in my ESV Bible).

“⁹And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. ¹⁰Be careful now for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (ESV)

Here we see David speaking to Solomon in front of all the officials of Israel. He had been announcing to them that a house for the LORD was to be built, but not by him but that Solomon had been chosen by God to do so. And here David is charging Solomon to that which the LORD has chosen him to do. Yet, he is also charging Solomon to do so with full service to the LORD from the heart.

I was reminded strongly that it is important to physically tell others to love and serve the LORD from the heart and not just expect that they will pick it up on their own somewhere. As a parent, when we want something accomplished a certain way or in a certain time, it is important to speak it plainly so there is no questions as to what to do. This is also important with service and love of the LORD. We should be speaking it plainly. Love the LORD with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.

David announced to Solomon that he should proceed with the building of the Temple from his heart. He should work to serve the LORD and not his own agenda. And, David is speaking this command in front of many witnesses. He is not shying away from speaking it, he is deliberate and pointed in the delivery to ensure that Solomon is aware and understands the assignment.

I may have missed the mark on this. Where I was not young when I became a father, and I had been a follower of Christ for a good number of years, I was not mature in Christ by any means. I may have not spoken to my boys as David does to Solomon here.

But, I did have brothers in Christ who were examples of David in this sense and over the past 15 years I have grown in my Christlike maturity to more of an example. I still have a long way to go, but I am more bold today and heed the actions of David with Solomon and lead more deliberately and vocally to ensure that others (including but not limited to my sons) should know and love and serve the LORD with all their heart.

What are you speaking out about loving and serving the LORD? Are you expecting others to learn on their own somehow? What if you were to speak plainly with others as David does with Solomon to love and serve the LORD with all their heart?

Speak Truth

This morning I am continuing my study of the word “will” and was reminded to not hold in the truth in the interest of inclusion and tolerance. Too often it is the truth that is determined to be exclusionary and intolerant. When it comes to our life in the LORD, He is truth and therefore we are to be examples of Him and truth to the world. He is to be trusted as is His Word which we are to meditate day and night.

“¹⁶All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

As the Word of God is truth, and can be trusted, we are to speak it always. I do not have to “feel bad” for bringing the truth. I actually should release the truth and not keep it bottled up inside, as it will eat me up inside. By speaking truth always, I will avert the tragedy of exploding the truth and will be able to deal with others much more rationally and calmly.

“¹I said, “I will guard my ways,

that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,

so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

²I was mute and silent;

I held my peace to no avail,

and my distress grew worse.

³My heart became hot within me.

As I mused, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:”

— Psalm 39:1-3 (ESV)

Notice the words from David’s Psalm above that he works to “muzzle” himself and that he was “mute” and “silent” and “held” his peace only for it all to well up inside him. His “hear became hot” as the truth was burning to get out. He then “spoke”. I can only imagine the fire that David spoke with as he let out the truth after holding his tongue for so long.

Isn’t that the way it is with us as well. We hold things inside and then when they finally come out, there is this explosion that is understood. We become emotional and irrational and loud and flailing to the point that we are cast aside as zealots.

We should be rational and thoughtful and calculated and honest in our speaking. We are not to hold things in, we are speak the truth so that the gospel will be known in the world.

“¹⁹Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20 (ESV)

This morning I pray for slowness of speech which leads to calmness where the truth of the LORD will be revealed and understood.

What is your approach to speaking? Are you holding in the truth to not offend? What if you were to speak the truth slowly that the Word of the LORD would be heard and understood?