A Careless Word

We need to be so careful with our words, a lesson I am still learning the hard way. Every word reveals the true intention of our heart. There is no such thing as 'I was just kidding' or 'I didn't really mean that'. Every word we speak tells something about the condition of our hearts. True!! Words can either heal or kill. How often we slay people with our words, not realizing we will eat its fruit.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:1 (NASB)
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

Sin

It is always refreshing to read a book again. The one that I am reading is Finally Alive by John Piper where he describes in detail what exactly happens to us when we are regenerated by Christ. As I was reading a section this morning on “Why must we be born again?” he mentions a few points, which convicted and encouraged me at the same time. So  thought I’d put it up on the blog today.

Here are the biblical explanations of our condition apart from the new birth and why it is so necessary.

1. Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sins. (Eph 2:1-2)
2. Apart from the new birth, we are by nature children of wrath. (Eph 2:3)
3.  Apart from the new birth, we love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19–20).
4.  Apart from the new birth, our hearts are hard like stone.(Ezek. 36:26; Eph. 4:18).
5.  Apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God. (Rom. 8:7–8).
6. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to accept the gospel.(Eph. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:14).
7. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord (John  6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 12:3).
8.  Apart from the new birth, we are slaves to sin (Rom. 6:17).
9.  Apart from the new birth, we are slaves of Satan (Eph. 2:1–2; 2 Tim. 2:24–26).
10. Apart from the new birth, no good thing dwells in us (Rom. 7:18).
    
    
    
    So after reading the above verses, what is your response? Is it of thankfulness unto the lord for His perfect sacrifice or do you still not see the deceitfulness of your own heart…
     

The Heart

We are studying the book of Mark in church and last Sunday we went through Chapter 7 where Jesus talks about what makes us pure or impure. His main focus was about our heart attitudes. In verses 18-20 Jesus says,

"Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Here context is where the Pharisees were accusing  the disciples that they were not following the traditions that were laid down( the ceremonial washing of the hands). Where as Jesus is addressing the heart issues. He says what goes inside a person body( what he eats) does not make him unclean, as the body in its normal funtioning gets rid of it. But what comes out  of the heart of man (from within)makes  him impure.

(20-23)And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Sometimes we are so caught up in tradition that we forget to see what the Bible has to say about it. Therefore let us guard our heart and keep a close watch of sinful tendencies in our life. And the only way to do it is to go back to the Bible.

The heart of the matter!

What is one of the toughest thing to do?? For me, it is biting my tongue....Ouch!!Yeah! I'm talking about the taming of our tongues!! My tongue is a dangerous piece of muscle lying in my mouth, capable of extensive activity. This activity brings more disaster than good!

My biggest activity is talking....words, words words!!!!!! And guess what?? My words are a clear and strong indicator of the condition of my heart!! :(

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b.

So, in order to control my tongue, I need to understand the workings of my heart! Ok...The root cause is my heart!! Gotcha...

What does God's word have to say about the human heart?
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (Emphasis mine)
Whoa! That's a terrible verdict, a fairly bad diagnosis. But, take a look what it says further.......
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways according to the fruit of his deeds." verse 10

Only God knows and completely understands the workings of our sinful hearts!!

This was psalmist's genuine heart cry to God who sees it all!
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!"Psalm 139:23-24

One of the best ways to keep a diligent watch on our deceptive hearts is by obeying and continuously delighting in God's word alone!!
"Moreover, by them is your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:11

Therefore, we can humbly ask Jesus Our LORD and Savior and seek His divine help in the taming of our vile tongues.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. " Psalm 19:14