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Heart and Tongue
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).
There are perhaps many reasons why God gave us tongues. Clearly, we need tongues to communicate with each other and to taste and swallow, but perhaps there is a deeper reason. Maybe we have tongues because we were made in His image, and He used His tongue to speak in the Bible.
God spoke audibly three times in Jesus’ life, and in each case pointed to Jesus.
1) “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Baptism, (Mark 1:11).
2) “This is my Son listen to Him.” Transfiguration, (Matthew 17:5).
3) “I have glorified your Name and will do it again.” Last week of His life, (John 12:28).
However, God did not wait until the Gospels to speak. The Creation story of Genesis 1 is one of God speaking and creating. Genesis 1:3 reads, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (emphasis added).” Later when Adam was formed, God brought the rest of the creatures before him so he could “name” them with his tongue. Later, Adam “heard God’s voice in the garden” (Genesis 3:10).
Proverbs 18:21 teaches, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our tongues are so powerful that they can build up or tear down others. James 3:11 uses the example of a fountain to illustrate the inconsistency of praising God and cursing people, both coming from the same mouth. It emphasizes that just as a spring doesn’t produce both sweet and bitter water from the same opening, our mouths should not speak both blessings and curses.
The happiest people I know are not the richest or the healthiest, but they all use their tongues to bless others and praise God. The “lens” by which they see the world is shaped by the words that they use to describe it.
As what I always tell myself: If you get what you want, that is God’s direction. If you do not get what you want, that is God’s protection. You may not understand His ways, but you just have to trust His will. So, the next time things don’t go your way, always remember that you are being redirected to something better.”
I think this is a great story and raises a very interesting proposition for us all to consider the next time we are inconvenienced. The temptation for some may be to intentionally leave late for a meeting and then “assume” that God has saved them from some unseen tragedy if they had left on time. This approach does little to honor God.
Speak words of life over your family, children, neighbors, co-workers, and yourself. Now, you are using your tongue’s power to shift your life’s atmosphere. Men, use your tongues to bless and affirm your children and wife.
The tongue is powerful! Jesus told us to “speak to the mountain,” and it would be removed and cast into the sea. Imagine the raw power in the tongue! What a gift God has given us to change our current perspective and future destiny. Turn your tongue loose on your mountain. Jesus spoke to storms, demons, and even cursed a fig tree. He even said that the stones could cry out. Release the power of words to bring life and enhance life.
Our tongues allow us to connect to God. God loves for our tongues to sing, worship, and bless His Name. On the day of Pentecost, He even gave the disciples a “new tongue” to speak the “wonderful works of God!” (Acts 2:11). Then in Acts 3, Peter used his tongue to heal a lame beggar by saying, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk (Acts 3:6).
If you want to change your words, then begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to change your heart. A daily prayer of mine is Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
The heart of the issue is the heart. Scripture is rich regarding the connection between our hearts, mouths, and life. Two of my favorites verses are, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), and “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
So, what is the right next step? Ask the Lord to change your heart. Pray Psalm 51:10 and give thanks in advance for the change that is coming. Your heart will change, and you will be speaking words of life and thanksgiving and be a blessing to others. Perhaps this is why we have tongues? Let’s use ours to a blessing to others.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for blessing us with tongues. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us to use our tongues to speak words of life. Help us to use our tongues to point others to Jesus. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Certified Lay Minister and Men’s Ministry Specialist through Francis Asbury Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He is a Board Member for Gulf South Men, an Action Team member for The Kingdom Group, and a Board Member for the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus. Todd is a contributor to Project XII and Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. He is a Past President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and remains active in this and many other local, regional, and international ministries. Additionally, he’s the author of the inspiring book “Fathering A Special Needs Child.” Todd also enjoys filling the pulpit to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior. Todd is the proud father of Emma and Kyle and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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