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)

What is in your heart?  Is it good or is it evil?  Listening to the words you speak is a good place to start.  

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  Luke 6:45b (NIV)

As true followers of Jesus, we are called to live a life that shines with God’s love.  All we do should reflect God.  We are to produce good things, and speak good words because our heart is where the Holy Spirit of God resides.  Calling yourself a Christian means you strive to be like Jesus in thought, word and deed!  Is that the motive of your heart?

I know we are all human and can many times make mistakes in the things we say, but I believe that we must be diligent in guarding our hearts.  It is so easy to turn “our opinions” into criticisms, condemnation and “our thoughts” into being judgmental.  Now, you may not think that is evil, but how does God look at it?

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.  Luke 6:37

You can see from this scripture there are consequences for judging and condemning or criticizing others.  When we do this, we really are saying that we are better than someone else – and God looks at that as pride.  Let’s see what else God has to say about this:

• 
  

  All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13

• The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;

  the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Proverbs 15:28

• Haughty eyes, a proud heart,

  and evil actions are all sin.  Proverbs 21:4

• They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.  Proverbs 26:25

There is so much evil in people’s hearts today, as seen by their evil actions and the evil words and lies spewing from their mouths. What is most distressing is that these things are even coming from people who call themselves Christians! Choose today not to be one of them. If you are convicted in your spirit, ask God to forgive you, as He is faithful to forgive. Then strive to guard your heart, guard your thoughts and guard the words you speak from this day forward.  These are such dark days, and more than ever the Lord needs servants who will strive to separate themselves from the ways of the world and live according to His word and ways.

Be a good Christian who produces good things from the treasury of a good heart and be a light to show others the way.

Find a friend in your community and hold each other accountable, in love.