Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 12 verses 33 through 37:
33 ‘Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.36I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; 37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’
Our careless words can tell us a great deal about what is going on inside us. Sharp and hurtful words which come forth in moments of carelessness do not just appear out of vapor. They are symptoms of resentment, anger, and anxieties within us.
Last night we took the kids to the park. I was telling a story to the boys and Gabrielle asked a question. Irie went into an answer which was complicated because the question was complicated. I snapped at her about the length of the answer. The car went quiet.
After reflecting on that moment, I realized that I wanted to be in control. I wanted to be in the driver seat. My snapping was a sign that I wasn’t happy about having my story take a different turn. It was a careless moment and my words were careless; but examining them really did tell me something about myself — even though I didn’t really like what they were saying.
Even our most careless, throw-away words have something to reveal. They have something to tell us. “For out of the mouth the heart speaks,” (Luke 6:45).
Let those with ears to hear let them dare also to listen.
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