“For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” Matthew 12:34b
Do you ever find something coming out of your mouth and then wish you hadn’t said it? I do this often. Or I leave a situation and wonder why I felt the need to talk so much instead of listen.
Jesus said that what comes out of our mouths is a reflection of what’s going on in our hearts.
I listened to a message on this subject last Monday by Chip Ingram and I wanted to share with you a helpful tool he shared. It can help us to discern what’s in our hearts or even our kids’ hearts by the things that come out of our mouths.
He said that if you find yourself speaking…
- Words of harshness…. they reveal a heart of anger.
- Words of negativity… a heart of fear.
- Overactivity of words, talk talk talk… our hearts are unsettled/not at rest.
- Words of criticism… heart of bitterness.
- Words of filth … a heart that’s impure.
- Boasting words … an insecure heart.
- Encouraging words… a heart of happiness that wants to build up others.
- Gentle words… a tender heart.
- Truthful words… an honest heart.
- Kind words… a loving heart.
This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but it could help us determine if we need to forgive someone, stop watching/listening to some type of media, put ourselves in more godly environments etc.
I have been asking my kids these questions a few times a week before bed. Has anything hurt your feelings lately? Are you mad at anyone? Is there anything you’ve been wanting to tell us?
These questions get at the heart and allow us to teach and pray through what is going on in their ever important hearts.
On another note, my friend Stephanie is posting her Christmas Advent Devotions for families on this blog that she published last year, called “Preparing for Christmas, 25 Devotionals for Families.” It’s already day two, and she will add a new one each day until Christmas.
It’s a great devotional and I really liked doing this with our kids last night.
I love Christmas time because we are celebrating the hope we have in Jesus, but I know for some it brings along heaviness and sadness. If there is anything you want me to be praying for during this time please feel free to comment below anonymous or not and I will be sure to pray!
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