The Hearts Echo: Mastering the Tongue

 



The Heart’s Echo: Mastering the Tongue

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​Matthew 12:34-37

You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.

​James 3:1-10

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

​We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

​And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

​ The Treasury of the Soul

​What any one of us utters from our mouth shows both God and man what is truly in our hearts. Our words are the evidence of what we store inside. Are we kind or cruel? Can we be trusted with a secret? Do we honor God with what we say?

​The Weight of Leadership

Have you given much thought to how those in positions of leadership are held to a higher standard? Teachers and pastors influence so many, yet they face a daunting task. While school teachers group students by age, a Pastor must guide everyone—from babies to elders, from those with physical limitations to those struggling with mental health or spiritual warfare.

​We often expect leaders to have all the answers, but honey, that isn't us—that is God. Leaders can water you with lessons and lead you to devotions, but if you do not pray daily, read God’s Holy Word, and build your own relationship with Him, you will not see spiritual growth. If you never apply the lesson, how will you grow?

​Filling the Void

Many come to church looking to fill an empty place deep within. That space was created by God, specifically for the Holy Spirit. If you have not confessed your sins to Jesus and asked for forgiveness, that void remains. The Holy Spirit is God’s way of helping us do better and keeping an open line of connection with our Father.

​A Call to Action

Let me speak some honest words that might be hard to hear: If you are in church but not living a Christian life, you have become someone’s responsibility. You were led there to build a relationship with God, not just to be hugged. True Christian love wants you to find a deep, personal connection with the Father.

​If you have been in church for months and nothing has changed, it is time to look at your expectations versus God’s Word. Just "hanging out" does little for the soul. You must work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, obeying God with reverence. Find your purpose! God wants you to be His hands and feet, and He will reveal so much more of who you are if you simply desire to serve Him.

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​Heavenly Father,

We ask that You set a guard over our lips today. Help us to stock the treasury of our hearts with Your Word so that only goodness flows out. We pray for our leaders and pastors, asking for Your wisdom to sustain them as they guide Your flock. Fill the empty spaces in our souls with Your Holy Spirit. Help us not just to be hearers of the Word, but doers, working out our salvation with love and holy fear. Show us our purpose so we may serve as Your hands and feet in this broken world. We ask this in your son, Jesus' precious name. Amen!

​The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

​BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED AMEN

BOBBA

Love, Penny

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