Updated: 12-29-2023
Our mouths play a massive role in our daily lives. When we talk, some of us pay attention to what comes out of our mouths, and some don’t. We say things we don’t mean, gossip, boast, and the list goes on. When we open our mouths to speak, two people hear what we say. The other person and you.
Did you know that someone else hears us and sees our hearts? Learning about our heart and mouth is important. You will learn that what you say is truly what you mean, and it comes from the heart. Therefore, what you say does matter.
What We Say Matters
What we say to others and to ourselves matters because our words direct us. This is not creative power. Which means we do not have the power to speak something into existence.
The word power (H3027 – yawd) means direction.
We will briefly discuss Deuteronomy and Proverbs that what we say truly matters.
Deuteronomy 30:19 BSB: I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
Deuteronomy is God giving us the choice on how we should live our lives, including our words. God gives us the answer; however, many do not listen nor obey it.
Proverbs 18:21 B2B; Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18 is about life and death being spoken from our mouths. Meaning, the words we speak have the power (direct) to lead us into life or death.
Our words have the power to cause pain or provide comfort. Another way to say this is our words can be poisonous or healing or can either destroy or edify. So to say “stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not biblically true.
Proverbs also says we will eat the fruit of our words. This refers to an overly talkative person. They talk whether they know what to say or know what they are talking about. Whether we accept this or not, God tells us there will be consequences for thoughtful and idle words throughout scripture.
Therefore, what we say does matter, and we should give thought as to whether our words are reflecting the Lord.
Our Heart and Mouth Go Together
Our heart and mouth go together for the Bible says in Matthew 12:34, “…For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Also read Luke 6:45.
This means that you will speak about whatever your heart desires. Therefore, our heart is the place that is filled with who we really are. When you open your mouth, your heart engages. So our heart dictates our attitudes and words, which are followed by an action. Our words and actions will reveal what we treasure in our heart.
Matthew 7 draws a picture of what this looks like in our lives.
Matthew 7:17-20 BSB; 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Where and how does someone bear good fruit? Psalm 1:3 says, we are planted. Jesus says that God plants us (Matthew 15:13). This means the good tree is a believer in Christ who bears Godly fruit. The bad tree is someone who has not been planted by God and cannot bear the fruit of God.
This is how believers discern a person’s true heart (character). Which means when someone acts in an ungodly way, you can choose to see the truth or deceive yourself. This includes ourselves. It is vital that we examine our own heart and mouth. Having this mindset brings life into our hearts and minds.
Choose To Honor Christ With Your Mouth
We should choose to honor Christ with our mouths. The Word of God says to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19–20). It also says, the word is written on our hearts and mind, Hebrews 8:10. God gives us every opportunity to glorify Him with our heart and mouth. He helps us by giving us His word, which is in our heart and mouth.
Deuteronomy 30:14 BSB; But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.
Choosing to honor Christ with our heart and mouth is a conscious decision. It takes persistence and determination to focus on what comes out of our mouth.
Conclusion
Having read this Bible study, do you want to be more aware of what comes out of your mouth? Do you believe that your heart engages every time you speak? There are plenty of Bible verses that talk about our heart, mind, and mouth.
1 Samuel 16:7 BSB; Know that man looks at the outward appearance of people, but the Lord does not. The Lord looks at the heart rather than the external appearance; he does not view things as a man does.
Our words cannot please God unless we have a new heart and mind. “BEING MADE BRAND NEW – NEW CREATION IN CHRIST 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17“
Mouth and Heart scriptures
Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Psalm 19:14 BSB; May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 49:3 BSB; My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
Proverbs 16:23 BSB; The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Luke 6:45 BSB; The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
“The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® https://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved”.
