City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

³² Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

–Matthew 10:32-33 NASB

²³ Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life.

²⁴ Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth

And keep devious speech far from you.

–Proverbs 4:23-24 NASB

²³ Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

–Hebrews 10:23 NASB

Aisha’s Analysis

The language of a believer speaks volumes. The moment a person confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead, he will be saved (Romans 10:9).  

This connotes a mouth-heart connection. What’s in your heart will come out of your mouth and the words you speak will go into your heart. Here’s how Jesus put it: 

The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.

–Luke 6:45 AMP

Therefore, a person’s life and words are very telling of what’s in his heart. How can you know for sure what people really believe in their hearts? Listen to them long enough and you’ll find out. 

Our profession of Jesus as Lord is what marks us as believers. As such, it behooves us to pay attention to our thoughts and words–particularly those about the Lord or the lack thereof. If somebody listened to you speak for a week, would that person be able to identify you as a Christ-follower? 

Application

If what you are currently speaking out does not line up with God’s Word and character, then it would be a good idea to stop speaking and start listening. Infuse your mind with God’s Word until it gets down deep into your heart. 

Let us do as the psalmist instructs: 

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

–Psalms 119:11 (NLT) 

Prayer

Take this moment to earnestly ask the Lord to guide you in your speech. Throughout the day, meditate on Psalm 141:3 and trust God to empower you to speak wholesomely and wisely. 

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].

–Psalm 141:3 (AMP)