I know in my own life that I can sometimes get careless with words, if I do not practice guarding my heart. Just as God spoke the heavens and earth into existence (Hebrews 11:13), every word that comes out of our mouth is an act of creation. Beloved, when we speak words of hatred, criticism, judgement, or gossip towards somebody, those words do not just die, they live on. Like-wise, when we exhort others with love, honor, affirmation, or inspiration, these words too continue to have power. Consider the impact of our words. With the same mouth we can speak encouragement (giving life), or discouragement (causing “death”).

“There is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.” Mark 7:15

We often think that our life reflects what a Christian’s walk should look like, because we have some of the “outer things” right. We attend church, we pray, we read our Bible… but beloved, if our words are not full of life and the Holy Spirit, then we are deceiving ourselves. It takes discipline to control our words when someone does something that displeases us, or they do not live up to our expectations. It takes discipline to control our tongue (James 3:5). Again, our words can defile and divide or they can build-up and bring life. I want to encourage you to recognize that if we are going to live victorious in Jesus, we need to guard our hearts and our mouths.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The day is coming when each of us will stand before the throne and give an account of every word that we have spoken (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10). We cannot take back what we have said, but we can repent right now. We can declare that for the rest of our days, by the grace of Jesus, by clinging to Him by the Holy Spirit’s power, we will submit our tongues to God. When we stand before God, we then will be able say:

“Yes, Lord I confess that it is all true. I was careless with my words. I had said so many hurtful words of judgement, accusation, and spite. But I made a decision to repent, and from that day forward, by your grace – I guarded my heart and my words.”

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19