Heart Check (Part 1)

Matthew 15:18

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

How often have we said something to someone and then turn to say 'oh I didn't mean that?' How often have you said something hurting to your spouse and say 'oh sorry I didn't mean to say that?' We often apologise for words spoken which we feel we didn't mean to say. Occasionally, some effects of these words we have altered are redeemable but other times they are not.

In Matthew 15:18, Jesus says 'those things' which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. But what are those things, someone may ask? They are words! The Master is simply saying that our words come from our heart. We can say 'oh I am so sorry, I didn't mean to say that'. But they came from the heart. Sometimes they could be what the scriptures call 'idle words' but these so called 'idle words' come from the heart.

Another passage of the bible very close to our main text is Matthew 12:34 'O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh'. If we take a closer look at Matthew 12:34, it says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The scriptures is literally saying the mouth speaks when the heart is full. Out of the abundance! Like a spill over! Incredible indeed! It means we need to begin to think about what we store and treasure in out hearts because in its abundance, the mouth will speak.

Jesus goes ahead to say in Matthew 12:35-36 'A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment'. Notice the expressions 'out of the good treasure of the heart' 'out of the evil treasure of the heart', something comes out - good or evil words respectively. All from the heart. Also notice that the word treasure indicates a kind of storage. Some things can be treasured in the heart waiting to come out through the mouth when triggered, so to say.

Jesus says all of our words will be accounted for. 'But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment'.

Hence, we really need to begin to think about what we 'think about'. We need to take control of our thoughts and ensure we are storing the right things, so we can have 'good treasure of the heart'. For our mouth will speak what is in the heart and every word we speak would be accounted for.

Let us all be mindful to treasure the right words and thoughts in our hearts this week and always. Do have wonderful week and God bless you