[299 words]
Man can justify nearly anything as okay in the mind. The reality though is what Solomon said, “The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5). Humans justify sin in their hearts when Satan is the adviser. That is why it is the job of the Christian to counter this deception with truth. The first step in countering this is knowing where the heart is. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Do we put our hope and faith in our bank accounts, houses, jobs, spouses, parents, cars, retirement plans, etc.? None of these things are inherently wicked, but when they become the focus of our heart, our treasure is in the wrong place.
It is hard for people to hide the true colors of the heart. Someone may say one thing, but the heart testifies against them. Solomon went on to say, “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand (Proverbs 12:6-7). The mouth is a powerful tool that displays character. Jesus demonstrates this with the Pharisees many times. For example, “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).
The mouth speaks of the heart. The heart needs to be one of pointing others to Christ. Paul says this about the way you talk, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). Get your mouth from your heart.
Casey McDonald
Four Mile Hill church of Christ
Searcy, AR