The Heart/Lip Connection

Devotional for 10.24.11

Blessed Monday to each one of you! How are you? What’s stirring in your heart today? That impacts so much, doesn’t it? The things that we think about and that we treasure within our hearts, impact our attitudes, our choices, and our words.

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 16 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

THE HEART/LIP CONNECTION

A wise man’s (woman’s) heart guides his (her) mouth,

and his (her) lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23

The book of James, chapter 3, provides practical and truth-filled visuals about our tongues. A small bit can turn a large horse. Even in strong winds, a small rudder can steer a huge ship. A small spark can ignite a great forest on fire. And our teeny-tiny tongues contain that same fiery power for good or for evil.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, (my sisters), this should not be (James 3:9-10). This should not be, yet too often it is. James speaks of the irony of how all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man (or woman) can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:7-8).

  

To be wise women who speak wise words, we need to fill our hearts and minds with God’s wisdom. Our heart guides our mouth (Proverbs 16:23a). From a wise mind comes wise speech (Proverbs 16:23a, NLT). Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man (woman) brings good things out of the good stored up in him (her), and the evil man (woman) brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him (her).” (Matthew 12:34-35) We cannot ignore the connection between our heart and our lips! This is an especially critical reminder for those who teach and are in leadership positions within their clubs and churches.

When we fear the LORD and gain His wisdom, the way we lead and instruct those we disciple will reflect that wisdom. According to Proverbs 16 our words will be . . .

• From the LORD. He gives the reply of the tongue (v 1)
• Honest. Truth will be spoken (v 13)
• Pleasant. Learning will increase (v 21)
• Sweet. Health will be given to the body (v 24)
• Patient. Self-control will be kept (v 32)

Sadly, the opposite is also true. Foolish words come with painful consequences. When we speak what seems right to us instead of speaking from God’s wisdom, it leads to death (v 25). When our words are poison instead of wise, they scorch like fire (v 27); they stir up dissension, and separate friends (v 28).

Wisdom Step: Think about the connection between your heart and lips in your leadership positions within your home, club, church, and community.  

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at my end, and in my departing.

Old Sarum Primer, 1558