YOUR MOUTH IS A MIRROR

Your Mouth Is A Mirror.


Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Words are not simply sounds caused by our mouths shaping air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3). Humans are made in God’s image, and our words also have power. To be clear, human words do not have the power to manifest reality. But our words do more than convey information; they have an impact on people. The power of our words can burden one’s spirit, and even stir up hatred and violence. Words can exacerbate wounds and inflict them directly. Alternatively, words can build up and be life-giving (Proverbs 18:21; Ephesians 4:29; ). 

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Of all the creatures on this planet, only humans have the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.

Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up (Proverbs 12:6). 
Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives

The writer of Proverbs tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are they being filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat? Words are tools that can make life better, but any tool can be misused.

HEADS UP!!: Words are so important that we are going to give an account of what we say when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 12:36–37 Jesus said, And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). The Greek word translated “unwholesome” means “rotten” or “foul” and originally referred to rotten fruit and vegetables. Vulgar humor, dirty jokes, and foul language have no place in the life of a Christian. Instead, our speech is to be characterized by “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (cf. Colossians 3:16; 4:6). 

Colossians 3:16
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Helpful, edifying, meeting needs, and beneficial—these are our descriptive goals for the words we use.

There is a remarkable parallel between 
Ephesians 4:25, lying; 
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Ephesians 4:28, stealing;
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

 and Ephesians 4:29, unwholesome talk. In each case Paul is urging us to be a blessing to those with whom we have daily contact. Rather than lie, we are to speak truth; rather than steal, we are to do honest labor; rather than corrupt with our speech, we are to build up. Each sin needs to be replaced with something wholesome (Our bible/God's Bible). As followers of Christ, we should emulate the example of Jesus, whose words were so filled with grace that the multitudes were amazed (Luke 4:22).

Jesus reminds us that the words we speak are the overflow of our hearts (Matthew 12:34–35). 
You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 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.

When one becomes a Christian, there is an expectancy that a change of speech follows because living for Christ makes a difference in one’s choice of words. The sinner’s mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:14); but when we turn our lives over to Christ, we gladly confess that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9–10). 
The condemned sinner’s mouth is silenced before the throne of God (Romans 3:19), 
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.

but the believer’s mouth is opened to praise and glorify God (Romans 15:6).
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

Christians are those whose hearts have been changed by the power of God, a change reflected in our words. Remember, before we were saved, we were spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1–3). 
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

How real was your darkness before Christ came into your life?
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Paul describes those who are dead in sin: Romans 3:13: “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.”

 Our words are full of blessings when the heart is full of blessings. So, if we fill our hearts with the love of Christ, only truth and purity can come out of our mouths.

Peter tells us, 1 Peter 3:14-15 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
Let the power of our words be used by God to manifest the power of our faith. Be prepared to give the reason for why you love the Lord—at any time, to anyone. Our words should demonstrate the power of God’s grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May God enable us to use our words as an instrument of His love and saving grace..

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer”

Proverbs 1 2:25 NKJV
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good  word makes it glad.

Remember: 
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Action items for the week..
LET your words this week show you the condition of your heart and freely give what you discover about your heart to the Lord.

Love God. Love His People
Matthew 22:37-39 - The two greatest commandments

Remember: YOUnity starts with YOU.