What Comes from Our Hearts

“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. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 NLT

There was widespread shock when a high profile celebrity was caught using some racist language. His words were so offensive that he was fired from a prominent position.

Trying to explain his actions, he apologized: “It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it.” Going further, he also proclaimed, “This is not who I am.” In his mind, he felt that these racial slurs were not part of his character, even though he said them.

A similar problem recently emerged when private emails from a major corporation were made public. Many executives were embarrassed; some lost their jobs. Like the high profile celebrity, there were many apologies. Explanations that the words were taken out of context or didn’t represent their real beliefs.

How many people don’t see the connection between our words and our hearts. But Jesus taught that “what you say flows from what is in your heart.” Our words come directly from within us, and express our true nature: “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you” (Matthew 15:17-20).

Many in the world seem to have this all backwards. Concerned with creating images. Manipulating impressions and spinning stories. But not addressing the key problem: the heart.

The Bible says that the Gospel is not about making cosmetic changes but changing our hearts. That we might be changed. Not just improved or reformed but new creatures in Christ, filled, empowered, and controlled by God’s Spirit. As we are transformed, the words that come out of our mouths should reflect the change that Jesus has made.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your presence in my life. Purify my heart. Fill me with Your Spirit. Help me to control my words, and to bring people to the Gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.