What Comes Out of Your Mouth

One can tell a lot about a person based on what comes out of their mouth. What can people tell about you based on the words you speak?

In Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20, Jesus tells us that what comes out of a person's mouth is what defiles them and reveals the state of their heart.

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” ... But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

He also talks about it in Matthew 12:33-37,

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

I think Jesus' words here speak loud enough for themselves, but I implore you to reflect specifically on the last sentence. We all speak carelessly at times, but maybe we should try to be more intentional with our words, remembering what Paul wrote in Colossians 4:6,

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!