Nothing discloses the heart like the tongue. “The good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things, and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35 LSV).
How easily a careless word can wound, or a gentle one revive the fainting soul. Like ripples upon still water, our sentences travel farther than sight allows.
James wrote, “If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body” (James 3:2 LSV). In that single line rests an ocean of truth: mastery of speech is mastery of life. The tongue, though small, pilots the course of one’s days.
What Defiles and What Heals
Our Lord said, “Not that which is going into the mouth defiles the man, but that which is coming forth out of the mouth this defiles the man” (Matthew 15:11 LSV).
How solemn a warning, that corruption is not imported by bread but exported by bitterness. Yet within the same breath lies promise: if words can defile, then words can also heal. “Let no corrupt word go forth out of your mouth, but what is good for needful building up” (Ephesians 4:29 LSV).
To speak life is to plant mercy in the garden of another heart.
Beyond the Echo of Empty Positivity
Faith does not chant to command the universe; it confesses what God has already spoken. The Spirit renews the mind, not by slogans but by surrender. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 LSV).
Say not, I am worthless, when the Cross has declared your worth beyond gold. Say not, I cannot change, when Christ has said, “If the Son may make you free, you are really free” (John 8:36 LSV).
Truth is not a talisman; it is a torch. Hold it high and it will illumine the night.
Speaking Against the Accuser
The Accuser delights when we join his chorus of self-contempt. Resist him by agreeing with Heaven:
“I am a new creation; the old things have passed away, behold, the whole has become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 LSV).
“There is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 LSV).
Such confessions are not arrogance—they are allegiance. They declare faith in the finished work of Christ, not in the frailty of self.
The Valley of Dry Bones Revisited
In Ezekiel’s vision, God commands, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O you dry bones, hear the word of YHWH” (Ezekiel 37:4 LSV). The prophet’s words did not create life by his own power; they carried God’s breath. So too, when we speak Scripture over our desolate places, we invite the same Spirit to breathe again.
Let every valley of despair hear this: “My word… will not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11 LSV).
Do Not Say “I Am Only”
When Jeremiah trembled before his calling, God replied, “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you… Do not say, I [am] a youth” (Jeremiah 1:5-7 LSV).
How often we kill the seed of purpose with the frost of self-negation. Yet the Lord silences such protest: “I am with you to deliver you.”
Therefore, speak not from fear but from faith. Let your lips become the parchment where God inscribes courage.
A Benediction for the Tongue
Let this be our daily liturgy:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O YHWH, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 LSV).
When our speech bows to Scripture, the heart grows gentle, the mind renewed, and grace flows like light through stained glass.
Then like the poet’s own immortal line, we learn that “Kind hearts are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood.”
Speak, then, as pilgrims who know their King hears every syllable. Speak life, speak truth, speak Christ.