Matthew 11- Out of the Abundance of the Heart...

We live in a time when talk doesn't mean much. Ever heard the phrase, “He talks the talk, but can't walk the walk?” People oftentimes say anything they want and think they can get away with it. Talk is cheap, right? On the radio the other day, I heard about people who have said they were misquoted in their own autobiography. THEIR OWN autobiography that THEY WROTE! Oftentimes, people lie to cover up the truth and make themselves look better. The words that we speak, whether they be truth or lies, blessings or cursings, or any other thing all come from somewhere. Jesus said:

...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh...(verse 34)

Jesus said the the origin of our words is in our heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Nearly every action we take in our life comes from the heart. Have you ever read the labels on Spring water? Oftentimes, they talk about how pure it is because it is bottled AT THE SOURCE. The source of our words, our actions, and our lives is the heart. Notice that the mouth speaks from the ABUNDANCE of the heart. What comes out of out mouth is a reflection of what is abundantly in our hearts. Just writing that statement almost send chills down my spine. We may live in a world where talk is cheap, but that should not be so for God's children!

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing... (James 3:10)

Have you ever seen somebody like this? One minute, they speak only of good things and seem like they genuinely want to do the right thing, then the next minute, they are cursing and saying horrible things? James 3:10-11 addresses this with a rhetorical question- “My brethren, these things ought not so to be... Doth a sweet fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” The obvious answer is no. So, then this is a discrepency. If bad water comes out, it is a bad fountain. If bad words come out of our mouth, it is a reflection of what is in the abundance of our __________. See what it's saying?

The Mouth is like a Waterfall...

Jesus was essentially saying that what comes out of our mouth is the overflow from our heart. The mouth is like a waterfall. If polluted water came out of a waterfall, what does that tell you about the source? If good, clean, pure water comes out of the waterfall, what does that tell you about the source? Jesus said, “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” (v. 35).

The Importance of Every Word

Have you ever noticed that when a new politician comes around, everybody loves them? They are charismatic, speak the ideals of the people, make resounding promises to the people? After a few years, what happens? Typically, after a few years, we realize that this person was not as great as we were led on to think. You can look at the promises, and see where they have lied or failed to live up to their words.  Oftentimes, the reasons for this is because they give so many speeches and they are pulled so many different ways trying to please people, that they forget the promises they have made or they just simply don't carry the same priority that they seemingly once did. The more the politicians speak, the greater the chance is to catch them in a lie. I have nothing against politicians- it's a tough job to do while constantly being scrutinized by the public. However, every word they say can be held against them because they are a public figure.

Just because we are not a public figure does not mean that our words are any less important. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Verse 36) Did you catch that? In the day of judgment, we will give account for every word that we speak. No matter how small, it is important.

One Last Thought...

“For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt also be condemned.” (verse 37)

When I think about this verse, I cannot help but to think of the most important words of all. When it comes to our faith, and when it comes to our Savior Jesus Christ, what words come out of our mouth? Here are a few verses to consider:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9) ---remember, our Words are the overflow of our heart.

Jesus said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain (without meaning); for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

Every word that comes out of out mouth is important. We will give an account for every word, no matter how small. But not only that, but what do others think when they hear the words that come out of your mouth? What do they think of the One who lives within us?