The Fruit of Lips

“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.” Matthew 12:33b-37

“What comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person… 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.” Matthew 15:11b,18-20a

“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” James 3:8-12

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

The human heart is abundantly full, and lips are active and powerful to build and destroy. Jesus’s warnings tie together this thumping vessel of passion, preference, and emotion with that instrument of expression to make sense and pack a forceful punch. Each is irretrievably connected to the other, and His children need not only be aware, but be careful.

With what do I fill my heart, and how am I tending it? What I look on and entertain, how I filter my senses and media input, where I covet or exercise self-control will determine its contents. When do I regularly take stock of the favoritism, resentment, malice, prurience, and arrogance I’ve let take up residence there? When will I spend time in focused, uninterrupted confession of the sin I’ve suckled, coddled, and continued there to the point of ignorance or tolerance, and refill with the Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18)

Are those around me at home and work embittered, poisoned, or nourished by the fruit of my lips? Where do I intentionally use my mouth to bless and upbuild and multiply gladness? (Ephesians 5:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

When we consistently take in the Word, allowing the divine Farmer to sow it deep in our hearts, it will take root and grow. The Lord will watch over to perform it. Our words will become His. Our lips will bring forth much fruit for those around us by way of encouragement, consolation, and truth that transforms. It will also spill over in thanksgiving, honor, and praise to God. (Jeremiah 1:9,12; Matthew 13:43; 1 Corinthians 14:3)

Oh Lord, so fill my heart with gratitude and grace that my lips ever pour forth Your praise.