Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks
Today we will talk about “out of the heart the mouth speaks.” Many Christians do not know what this means. This phrase originates from the teachings of Jesus and emphasizes the connection between our inner thoughts and our outward expressions. It invites us to reflect on how our words can reveal what is truly inside us. As we explore this topic together, I encourage you to meditate on God’s word and see how it applies to your life. Let us journey together through the Scriptures to understand this concept’s significance in our daily conduct and relationships.
Understanding the Heart
When we talk about the heart in biblical terms, we’re often referring to much more than just the physical organ that pumps blood. In the Bible, the heart signifies our innermost being. It encompasses our thoughts, intentions, and emotions. This rich Hebrew word for heart, “lev” (לֵב), includes the understanding, wisdom, and the moral center of a person. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the source of our identity, desires, and our true character. It shapes our actions and influences what we say.
In Greek, the term for heart is “kardia” (καρδιά), which again points to our inner thoughts and soul rather than the physical aspect. When we look at Matthew 12:34, Jesus states, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Here, both Hebrew and Greek indicate that our speech originates from the depths of who we are. What comes out of our mouths is a reflection of what has built up in our hearts.
Historically, this understanding is crucial because it frames how we view morality and ethics from a biblical stance. In Proverbs 4:23, it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In this verse, the importance of keeping our hearts pure and aligned with God’s word is emphasized since our words and actions reflect the heart’s condition.
The implications are substantial—if we desire to speak uplifting and encouraging words, we must first nourish our hearts with good things. Jesus is clear; our words reflect our inner spiritual state. This understanding leads us to evaluate our thoughts, beliefs, and the influences we allow into our lives, ensuring they align with God’s Principles.
The Power of Words
Words hold incredible power. As stated in Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This verse beautifully illustrates how our words can uplift, inspire, and create but also destroy, discourage, and hurt. Thus, as followers of Christ, we are called to be mindful of our speech. Our words can serve as a reflection of Christ’s love, mercy, and grace when they spring from a heart filled with His presence.
In the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates this perfectly. Throughout His ministry, He spoke to the brokenhearted, the outcasts, and the lost, bringing healing and hope through His words. For instance, in Mark 4:39, He rebukes the wind and speaks to the sea, saying, “Peace! Be still!” His commands transformed chaos into calm, showcasing the authority and power words carry (Luke 8:24).
In contrast, when we allow negativity, anger, and bitterness to fill our hearts, it taints our speech. When our words slip from a place filled with discontent or discouragement, they often bring harm rather than healing. James 3:10 warns, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” As Christians, we ought to strive for consistency in our speech—words that align with God’s word and reflect Christ’s example.
The Heart’s Condition
To transform our speech effectively, we must evaluate the condition of our hearts. Are we cultivating a heart filled with kindness, love, and mercy? Or are we harboring resentment, anger, and bitterness? In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us to think on things that are pure, lovely, and admirable. This echoes the truth found in Luke 6:45, where Jesus states, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.”
Each day, we have the opportunity to fill our hearts with God’s word and His truths. Engaging in prayer, reading Scripture, and surrounding ourselves with uplifting influences can help us maintain a heart ready to speak life and encouragement. Words can’t just be chosen selectively; they need to stem from a heart that is genuinely aligned with God. Colossians 3:16 adds, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” This encourages the pursuit of enriching our hearts with spiritual teachings and expressions of worship.
Guarding Our Hearts and Words
We are responsible for what we allow into our hearts and, consequently, our mouths. One important way to maintain a healthy heart is to guard against negative influences. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” If we fill our hearts with negativity—through media, toxic relationships, or unwholesome discussions—we can expect our speech to reflect those inputs.
In a practical sense, this means being discerning about the conversations we engage in and the content we consume. Philippians 2:15 calls us to be “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Our speech should serve as a witness of God’s character, and we need to be mindful of this responsibility. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” Such instructions guide us in fostering a language that encourages and uplifts, ensuring our speech aligns with a heart inspired by Christ.
Moreover, confessing and repenting of words that do not reflect Christ’s love is essential. James 5:16 guides us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another, allowing healing to flow. This confession leads to accountability, helps us deal with the root issues causing unhealthy speech, and invites others to support us in our growth journey, creating a community of grace.
Speaking Life to Others
Our words can carry the weight of life or death, especially in our relationships with others. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” Speaking God’s truth—His love and purpose for others—can foster significant connections and encourage them in their faith or during challenging times. When we allow God’s love to guide our speech, we draw others closer to Him.
Consider how Jesus interacted with others. He spoke words of affirmation, grace, and truth. The woman at the well (John 4:1-26) is a perfect example; He lovingly confronted her situations but offered her the living water of grace. His words transformed her life and led her to share the good news with many others. Through our words, we carry the potential for the same impact. Spirit-filled conversations can heal wounds, mend relationships, and ignite a passion for Christ in others.
Additionally, Colossians 4:6 instructs, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Being thoughtful about how we speak equips us with wisdom, allowing our words to taste and see how good the Lord is, creating an inviting atmosphere in discussions.
Reflecting Christ in Our Speech
To embody a speech that reflects Christ, we must align ourselves with the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, these qualities naturally overflow into our speech. Being diligent in prayer and cultivating our relationship with God grants us the grace to reflect His heart and character in our discussions.
Moreover, Romans 12:1-2 encourages us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and it emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds. Refreshing our thoughts in God’s truths and teachings will enhance our speech, helping us avoid casual comments or rash statements that may wound others or create misunderstandings.
Let us seek to speak like Christ spoke—encouraging, challenging, tailoring our messages to lift others, and pointed toward the truth of the Gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are called to be ready to give a reason for the hope we have with gentleness and respect. This readiness means that our hearts should be continuously cultivating a relationship with Christ, making our words ready to express our faith graciously.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the idea that out of the heart, the mouth speaks, we understand the responsibilities we have with our words. We recognize that our speech is a mirror reflecting our inner selves. Through nurturing our hearts with God’s word and His presence, we can successfully speak life, encouragement, and truth into the lives of others.
Each day presents new opportunities to fill our hearts with positive thoughts and intentions. It’s essential to remember that our speech has the power to build up or tear down. Therefore, as a community of believers, we should actively guard our hearts and choose our words wisely, always aiming to uplift one another.
Ultimately, we are called to reflect Christ in our speech, serving as ambassadors of His love and grace. Let us be vigilant about what we allow to fill our hearts and how it manifests through our words. May we always strive to speak from the heart with wisdom, kindness, and love.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
Bible Commentary, Blog
30 Important bible verses about selflessness (With Explanation)