“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 (NLT)
Your tongue can ruin your life or it can lead you to great success. It has the power to direct your life.
James 3:4-5 (NLT) says “a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.” Your words, although they seem small and insignificant, are much like a small rudder that directs a giant ship.
You need God’s help to control your tongue. James 3:7-8 says “People can tame all kinds of animals…but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” Doesn’t sound too encouraging, does it? Really, James is saying that your willpower and determination will not cut it. You need Him.
Jesus said that your heart is the key to controlling your tongue (Luke 6:45). If you store up God’s Word in your heart, it changes you from the inside out, causing good to come from your mouth.
If you do not like what exits your mouth, examine what enters your heart. The gateways to your heart are your eyes, ears and mouth. Whatever you repeatedly see, read, hear and say enters your heart—the movies you watch, books you read, music and people you listen to and the words you speak. Are you making sure God’s Word enters all three gates?