What’s in You is Coming Out of You...

Yup, that’s right - what’s in you is coming out of you. Jesus said it: “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. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45).

Words reveal something about you... what’s in you. Are you full of God’s presence - his Spirit or are you full of (your) self?

Your words reveal whether you have love or hate, pride or humility, bitterness or forgiveness, ignorance or understanding, foolishness or wisdom, rudeness or kindness stored up in your heart.

Proverbs 18:21

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. (Message)

Matthew 12:34-35

…for whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart…

James chapter 3 warns us of the destruction that our words can bring and reminds us of the need to reign in our tongues.

Restrain yourself - know what not to say:

1. Don’t allow your words to tear down

2. Bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14)

3. Don’t let yourself become critical, negative, cynical and mean

4. Not every thought should be communicated

5. Not every opinion is needed or desired

6. Don’t just be an “observational communicator” (Ezekiel 37)

Speak with grace - know what to say:

1. Let your words be full of grace (Colossians 4:6)

2. Bless

3. Praise

4. Encourage

5. Build up

6. Speak to what is good

7. Be generous with compliments

“…let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” - Ephesians 4:29

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This article was written by Pastor Brian Dolleman (www.briandolleman.com), lead pastor of Fairwood Church. He has been a mentor and great friend in my life, and I thought it would be a great reminder for all of us about the power of our words and what it reflects about what is in us.