Out of the heart the mouth speaks

I used to judge people based on what they say or do. Now I know that many people are judging me for the same reasons. We may recall the phrase from a popular person it says, “people show you who they are believe them the first time.” Sounds very wise. Unknowingly, I lived my life like this before I heard this saying. I showed no mercy, no grace, no forgiveness. You said or did something to me, I might stop talking to you or I am closely watching you. Now I realize it is not that simple. We tend to judge actions (behaviour) and not look at the why behind the behaviour. Hurting people (broken), hurt people. And some of us don’t know that we are hurting, we think we are being strong or being ourselves (“that’s just the way I am”). Guard your heart, because out of it, the mouth speaks.

Know thyself (and be honest)

A few years ago, I listened to a Daily Hope Devotional by Rick Warren. 

In it he spoke about the meaning behind certain words we speak, see table below:

I don’t know about you, but I was convicted then and now. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check, (James 3:2). Jesus is the only perfect one.

And it’s not just what we say, it is how we say it that determines how it is received. 

The Lord is teaching me how to respond through understanding, empathizing, and compassion. It is a difficult lesson; it is a continuous lesson. We need to be intentional and mindful of how we use our words and the way we act. 

God’s response

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).

God sees us for who we truly are. He looks past the behaviour to the heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

We can try to change our behaviour, but we will mess up because we are human beings. But God loves us too much to leave us as we are. When we seek (and keep seeking) the kingdom of God and his righteousness, He begins (and continues) to change us from the inside out (real transformation) so we can…

Love one another

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35).

Are you a disciple of Christ or of the world? Culture or the world says to love our friends (the people who loves us) and to hate our enemies, but Jesus says to love one another, including our enemies.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:23).

Love 

We use it so casually, let me remind you of the type of love that Jesus is talking about.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13.

I told you it was a difficult lesson! But I am fully surrendered to receive it, again and again. Can we fully get it?

What is your heart saying?

Next time you think about saying or doing something, think, is this coming from a place of love? Because God sees your heart. 

And next time someone says something to you or does something to hurt you, look beyond the words or action and ask why this person is saying/doing this. They could be hurting without knowing. It is God who will change them, use discernment and do your part, pray for them, show some mercy, grace, and forgiveness. You may even chastise them but do so in love. I did say it was not easy, but we are not alone, God is with us and He has the final say.

That is it my family and friends, love one another (period).