“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man
brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men
will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they
have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you
will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34b-37).

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

At several points in my life, I have been conscious of
speaking words that were not gracious. Apparently, my heart had not been stored
with good things, or the overflow would have been gracious words. I want to
store my heart so full of good that the overflow will be always good.

 

Written November 1988.

This post coordinates with tomorrow’s reading in the To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.