“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, an evil man brings evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

This verse came up on my phone today from my Bible App and made me think. What is my heart full of today? Whatever it is full of is what will be spoken and what people will receive. Do my words overflow from a heart that has good stored up or evil? I want to bring good out in all my conversations and thoughts. When people walk away from our conversation, they can take away good or evil. We all have given and received both. Good always sets better in my spirit, but evil makes my stomach hurt. I am thankful I have a physical response.

Months ago we heard a phrase and then recently read verses to back it up. “…speak evil of no one… (Titus 3:2). And also, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. (James 4:11). It is pretty clear is it not? Your heart has good or evil stored up and this determines the words you speak. Now, when you are brokenhearted, angry, afraid sometimes words are hard to find. However, as I watch a dear friend walk through the loss of her husband of over 50 years, I see what has been stored up in her heart. I hear no bitterness, anger or fear. What I hear is thanksgiving, encouragement, sweet memories and the assurance of seeing her husband again. She looks for blessings and for ways to bless others. Years of living in relationship with our Lord has filled her heart with good.

One of my boys got in the van after school today and one look at his face told me it was not a good day. Apparently, two boys in his grade made fun of him. He said he was angry and sad. He then said, “I saw their hearts.” And there you have it. Even at 8 years old he can see. And while he is not always innocent with his words, he does speak good often. I like listening to what he has to say. I hear what he has stored up in his young heart and it blows me away!

Words display our hearts, friends. As we go into the weekend may we all overflow with His goodness. We will be much more pleasant to talk to!