GOoDLife Precepts By: KeviJ
There was a time when my words reflected nothing but pain—harsh, careless, driven by a heart still lost and wounded. I spoke without second thought, I defaulted to sarcasm, gossip, and humor that cut deeper than I intended. As my mother used to say, “You can’t hold ice water on your chest— you just tell everything.” She’d remind me that I lacked discretion, a quality I’d need to advance to the next level in my relationship with God. My heart was a mirror of a heart struggling to find its way, unaware of its true belonging. But everything changed after I encountered Jesus. He didn’t merely alter my vocabulary—He utterly transformed my view of life. At the core, in my heart, I thought differently about people and myself. My words are no longer used as weapons of destruction; they are becoming powerful instruments of love and healing. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’m surrendered… changed, daily renewed, and forever grateful.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
What overflows from your mouth reveals what fills your heart — let your words be vessels of grace.
When Jesus speaks to the heart, it’s not petty judgment—it’s with piercing love and divine clarity. He seeks to reveal what’s truly inside—shining a light to diagnose the state of our inner world. This is a heart probe encounter. Consider how he called them a “brood of vipers,” —a harsh and hurtful accusation. His words cut through the surface, exposing the condition of their inner world. They weren’t shepherds but serpents, lurking beneath a facade. Jesus wanted them—and us—to see that their publicly harsh criticism of Him stemmed from their heart conditions; these were not just words spoken in an angry moment.
The tongue will always be a thermometer of the soul. This is why the unpardonable sin has to do with the heart, not the words or actions. The heart is the headquarters; what lives there determines what launches from our lips.
In a world where the phrase “Speak your truth” has become the norm, much of what is expressed is often tinged with bitterness, pride, and fear. Social media captions, subtweets, and even prayer requests can be disguised outlets for venting toxic emotions. James, the brother of Jesus, warns believers that blessing and cursing shouldn’t come from the same mouth—because they stem from different kinds of hearts. The mouth is never just about communication; it invariably reveals our character. If our speech about others is consistently laced with criticism, sarcasm, or deceit, it’s a sign to examine the state of our hearts —because it might not just be a slip of the tongue but leaks from a wounded or broken soul.
Why does all this matter to us today? We’re fluent in branding. We know how to publish our profile statements, but when it comes to true heart health, many of us are illiterate. We showcase our faith with carefully curated words, but don’t always examine the root system behind our sound bites. Remember, Jesus isn’t fooled by religious words alone. The question isn’t can I say the right thing, but am I becoming the right person? Our words should be seen as seeds; what we say online—or in person—shapes the atmosphere, influences relationships, and & influences our eternity. The Church must reclaim her voice—not by turning up the volume, but by turning inward to the heart of Christ. When we genuinely embody Christ’s love, our words will resonate with power and authenticity.
Time of Reflection:
** The content of my speech will eventually expose the condition of my heart.
Words are never neutral—they build or break, reflect heaven or echo hell.
**Heart Probing Question:
If Jesus stood beside me, would my recent words reflect His presence or reveal my distance from Him?
Scripture References & Study Sources:
Matthew 12:34
James 3:8–10
Ephesians 4:29
Proverbs 4:23
Luke 6:45
Chronological Study Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. ~Pr 18:21
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that every time I open my mouth, my words are echoing something to everyone around me. My words carry far more weight than I sometimes want to admit or even realize. I pray that You’ll search my heart and know all my anxious thoughts, see if there is any part of me that has gone astray or is living in fear, sarcasm, or unforgiveness, and cleanse me of all bitterness, gossip, anger, and brokenness. My greatest desire is to do what You require of me. Let every word I speak reflect Your healing, truth, and unstoppable grace. Amen
