Sweetness Or Poison???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #373

I would like to share a couple of passages from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ own words; words that we need to hear, for words are important, and what you speak does make a difference!  I am amazed at not only the swear words, but the just plain vulgar and crude words and phrases that have become so easily accepted as “ok”, as “appropriate”!  And those of us who try to call those around us to speak better things, get the rolled eyes, for our prudishness.  What does your speech say about you?  Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about our words; are our words sweetness or poison?  It does make a difference.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas

was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man

be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.”  Matthew 12:34-40

Oh, may we hear the words of The Lord Jesus, and take them to “heart”—a transformed heart by the blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from our sin, and gives us a new heart that is made a residence of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said that the treasure that is in our heart will come out—be it good or evil.  He also said even more about the heart being the source of the goodness and sweetness of a transformed life, and the imitator will be revealed by their words.  Yes, we all stumble and miss-speak sometimes, but the nature of our heart (whether we are regenerated or unregenerate will come out) will reveal the truth of our hearts desires; be it to reflect our Lord or the world.  Jesus brought in the New Covenant with His death, burial and resurrection (See Ezekiel 36:26-27, and Jeremiah 31:31-33) which gives us a new heart.  Let’s hear Jesus’ instruction to His disciples.

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,

fornications, thefts, false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

Paul gives us some great instruction for keeping our hearts constant.  I pray that you will receive the message, asking Jesus to search your heart even as the Psalmist cried, “Search me, O God…”(See Psalm 139:23-24).  Don’t be one of those searching for “signs”, but one who bows before the king for a true look at our own heart.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

 will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

Oh, precious Jesus, may our words be sweetness and not poison?

Amen and Amen!!!