The Mouth Reveals the Heart - Guard the Words You Speak

James 3:9-12 exposes an inconsistency that can remain hidden in spiritual life. With the same mouth, a person praises the Lord and wounds those who were created in God’s likeness.

Our words often reveal what has been gathering inside us. A harsh response may come from exhaustion, wounded pride, the need to control a situation, or contempt we have not faced honestly. Religious appearances can hide these things for a while, but they eventually surface in the way we speak.

James compares the mouth to a spring. The water reveals the nature of what produces it. In the same way, our words show what has been given room in our hearts. This appears in sarcasm during an argument, harshness toward someone close to us, or comments about a person who is not there to respond.

Following Jesus also means allowing Him to reach the way we speak. Sometimes change begins when we recognize the impulse before answering. We may need to apologize. In another moment, wisdom may require silence until we can speak with honesty and care.

Look at your words honestly today. Do they treat people as God’s creatures, or do they diminish those who are near you?

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.