“Rooted in the Heart”
Matthew 12:33-37
INTRODUCTION: We have spent several weeks looking at what the Scripture has to say concerning our speech and what we must avoid if we want to keep it on the cutting edge. Recently we have seen:
1. How explosive our tongue is.
2. The problems associated with deceitful conversation.
3. The danger and affect of gossip, slander, and murmur.
4. The subtle influence of boasting and flattery.
5. The abuse our conversation can have on both the name and image of God.
This morning, I want to focus on the root of the issue – or more directly, how we can have a long term change in our conversation. This comes from dealing with the root of conversation – namely, our heart.
I OUR HEART IS THE SOIL FOR OUR SPEECH
A Our first concern is to get at the source
1 The source of our speech lies deep within us
2 What come out of us is what overflows from our heart.
ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever noticed what comes to the top of things? When you make gravy and you cool it – what comes to the top, the unwanted grease! When you smelt and refine metals, what comes to the top, the impurities. The same is true of our hearts – what overflows from our hearts and into our mouths will be the worst of what we have in our hearts! So, if you want good things to come out – you have to put really good things in. If you want really good things to come out – you have to put the really, REALLY good things in! Get the point?
B Every word reflects out spiritual condition
1 Trees are recognized by their fruit
2 Our spiritual condition is recognized by our fruit
a There is an accounting coming
b God is not nit-picking at our words, but our words are the accurate evidence of our inner condition!
Romans 3:10-18 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know." 18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
1) Paul describes our inner condition
a) Not righteous
b) Not understanding or seeking God
c) Worthless for not doing good
2) Paul then goes right to the evidence of our condition
a) Throats are graves
b) Tongues are deceitful
c) Lips are poisonous
d) Mouths are full of bitterness …..
SIMPLY PUT – BAD SOIL PRODUCES BAD FRUIT, AND A SINFUL HEART PRODUCES SINFUL SPEECH!
ü Sinful hearts produce pride
ü Sinful hearts produce anger
ü Sinful hearts produce fear
And it is ENTIRELY possible to have given my life over to Jesus, and never relinquished control of my life on a daily basis!
II TO CHANGE THE HEART – SWEETEN THE SOIL
A Like any work anywhere else – you gotta want to do it!
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
1 This was part of David’s prayer as he repented from his sin with Bathsheba.
2 David asked God to create in him a clean heart
3 Literally, David was asking God to bring something new into existence in his life – a clean heart.
ANY RENOVATION COSTS – YA GOTTA WANT TO DO IT!
B God must be elevated to the ruler of my speech
1 God is elevated by my understanding of my new relationship with Him.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
a The self-center me died on the cross with Christ.
b The new me is to live in faith
c The opposite of living my life is Christ LIVING in me!
Is Christ comfortable enough in your life that he really lives in your life, or is He like company!
Someone once said, that houseguests are like fresh fish – both start to stink after three days!
What is your attitude towards Christ in your life?
2 God is elevated by my acknowledging his authority
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
a God is the focal point of ALL authority
b “To get up with my speech is to get down with God”
3 The activity is VERTICAL – and the evidence is HORIZONTAL
Ephes. 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
a If I have worked at changing my heart
b If I have worked at placing God in authority over my communication
c Then it will show in my horizontal relationships.
d Reverence for Christ is the prerequisite for interacting with others biblically.
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