Heart speak

Does God care if we slip up occasionally and let a swear word or two creep in? God's seen language develop; he knows the etymology of all words. He's beyond words, too. So surely it doesn't matter?

Well, maybe it's just like anything else that he pulls us up on. It's usually the heart behind what we do and say, rather than the actual things, that matters. He warns us, or convicts us, especially when what we're doing or saying is damaging to ourselves and to others. In Luke 6:45 NCV, it says: 'People speak the things that are in their hearts.' If we're truly chasing after God's heart, guarding our hearts from the corrupt stuff of the world (Proverbs 4:23), and seeking his Kingdom, our words should be his, too.

So, let's get our heart close to God, and we'll know whether our words line up. We don't have to put together a list of banned words and their Christian alternatives. It's in our communication with the Holy Spirit that reveals how we should be talking; and actually we probably know those unhelpful words without having to record them down.



So what now? You may not think you swear often, or even at all. But just because mean or negative words don't fall under the official '?!*$%$-word' list, doesn't mean they're good, clean or wise. Pray today that God would pull you up for any 'unhelpful' words you may use. And thank him that he'll prompt your heart to change your day-to-day language.





— SCRIPTURE —

'People speak the things that are in their hearts.' Luke 6:45 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

Exo 30-32, John 4:39-54, Ps 32, Pro 27:1-3