Be wholesome in your speech.
“Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you say good things when you are evil? For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37
Words matter. Unplanned words reveal the heart. For good or for bad, our words will defend or condemn us on the day of judgment. Amy Carmichael, the great missionary to India had a quote that always impressed me. She said, “No matter how suddenly you jar a bowl of sweet water, no bitter water will ever spill out.” True enough. Let us guard our hearts, ever walking in the Spirit, so our speech might be gracious and suitable for a Kingdom ambassador.
