WHAT WE SAY SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT US!

 
WHAT WE SAY SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT US!
 
 
I have  something my family calls my “driving word”.  Although I have not used it for many many years… my children still remember it…
 
 
This off-color word only came out when I was driving. It welled up from inside me and spewing out of my mouth when someone would be passing me on a double yellow line… or when an insane driver would cut me off… or when a driver was just being plain crazy!
 
One day when my two little ones were safely strapped into their car seats and we were happily singing along to WE SING SILLY SONGS a car turned right in front of our’s and I almost hit it! It was a very close call and I was quite shaken! From the back seat a wee sweet voice yelled out my “driving word” for me!
 
I was heartsick! What a lesson straight from the mouth of a babe… my babe!
 

… for the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart. 

Luke 6:45 
 
My problem was not other drivers… my problem was me. And my problem was not my mouth… it was my heart.
 
Jesus tells us that we say comes from the condition of our heart.
 
The word heart in Greek is CARDIA.  It carries the idea of our mind, emotion, intellect and will. What we say is what we think and feel and know and want to say.
 
What we say gives us a very good look into the depths of our heart! And what others say shows us what is in the depth of their hearts too!
 
This is a very interesting and telling perspective. When we are aware enough to listen to what we say, we can hear and see the condition of our very heart! 
 
Our hearts and lips work in tandem. They are a team! Our lips give voice to our inner thoughts.
 
I don’t say my “driving word” anymore… but here’s the thing… if I’m not careful I sometimes think it.  I no longer give voice to it, but left unchecked I can still find that word in my heart! This saddens me greatly! 
 
It’s like part of my heart is still untamed and sick. And that is exactly how all hearts are! 
 

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9
 
Our heart… our mind, emotions, intellect and will… is habitually dishonest and misleading. It continual cry is to have its own way. Often the cry of our cheating hearts builds up and makes us so uncomfortable that the pressure our heart’s create is released in the words we say! I call that “word vomit”. It’s a graphic word picture of our sick hearts!
 
Even if we are children of God… our hearts remain a constant problem. We must be aware of that. 
 
The good news is that as we walk closer to and longer with Jesus and fill our thoughts and intellect and feelings with His ways and His thoughts our will starts to be His.  The fight to keep our heart and lips in check will always be there… but it does get easier! HOWEVER, we must always watch the condition of our hearts.
 

 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the spring of life.

Proverb 4:23
 
In other words, we must watch what we put into our minds, what we feed our intellect, what emotions we give licence too, and the reign of our will over our life. This is a constant and close watch!  Because it will… I repeat… WILL determine the course of our life!
 
When my “driving word” creeps up from that dark hidden depth of my heart I need to render it powerless once again! Acknowledging that my “driving word” is wrong and willful and submit to what God would have me do. That usually looks like blessing a crazy driver… and asking God to show Himself big in the driver’s life. 
 
And when my heart realigns with God’s heart the benefit is peace and joy! 
 
The condition of our heart and mouth is for us to choose! 
 
Our heart can fill the course of our life and those around us with ugliness, strife, baseness, defilement, deception and hurt… or we can choose to give our hearts and lips over to the Lord and then earnestly guard them. The outcome will be life changing.
 
I choose grace, joy, comfort, gentleness, truth, blessings, peace and all the wonderful results that come from a heart that abides IN HIM!
 
How about you?
 
This week’s memorization verse: Proverbs 4:23

 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the spring of life.

 
 

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61 Comments

  1. Wow, you are so right, Yvonne! It really got me to thinking.

  2. This is a lesson I needed to read today! What we say DOES matter. I wish both presidential candidates would read this!

  3. Thank you for your candor and godly advice. Much needed in the church today.

  4. I needed this so very much today as I am going through a real rough time. You thoughts from your “heart” are inspiring
    Love Susan

  5. I remember when my kids were small, they copied everything I did and said. It is good to be reminded that we constantly need to be aware of what we say. Thanks and have a wonderful day!

  6. Wow…my “driving words” are not vulgar but they are not kind! My grand children ride with me frequently and have on more than one occasion, yelled at other drivers before I did! What a poor example…thank you for this article and the reminder that little ones need good role models…in and out of the car! Have a blessed week!

  7. Thanks, Yvonne! Wonderful lesson today.

  8. Sue Turner says:

    Thank you so much for this message today. I will share this with my daughter today because her little two year old has picked up a few words that should not be coming out of a two year old. So I really needed this today

  9. I often ask my guardian angel to guard the words that come from my mouth.

    Set a guard over my mouth O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3.

    1. Hi Ann, just reminder… God is the One that tells angels what to do. So why not pray to GOD Himself! He is always waiting to hear our prayers!
      Angels have no authority to listen to us, they only obey God.

      1. Agree – praying to God with the specific scripture in mind from Psalma.

  10. Nancy Sennett says:

    A message my heart needed to hear!! Thank you for the beautiful way you share your faith!

  11. Yvonne, your explanation of how thoughts well up in our hearts then burst forth from our mouths is well said. I also like your encouragement to bless rather than curse someone. I love how you love Jesus and others.

  12. Avis Cooper says:

    Thank you! Be blessed as we have all been blessed. This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and as we all look around us we have much to be thankful for. Thankful that we have a God who will help us make changes in our hearts and lives, and yes, our words, when we ask Him.

  13. Thank you for the wonderful lesson today.

  14. Theresa Kleinschmidt says:

    What a wonderful reminder, we must all watch what we say. What we say matters, especislly when you have little ones. I remember when our son was little,my husband like you ,Yvonne used driving words. One Sunday morning during the childrens sermon at our church the pastor’s object lesson was how baby turkeys need their mother’s guidance otherwise they would drown in a rain storm. We all like turkeys need God’s guidance daily. Our son raised his hand and told the pastor that his daddy was a turkey. My husband was a little bit embarrassed and the whole congregation had a good laugh for the day. What a wonerful message for the day. Thank you!

    1. Oh how cute… and true of all of us. Your son just told the truth!

  15. Thank-you for this message that is much needed as we go through daily living. I grew up in a home where we never heard what was referred to as “potty mouth”, in my Mother’s words for many situations “it just isn’t done.” I have always tried to think before speaking, especially in anger- but, it isn’t easy at times. I still get upset with myself if I even think of such words that have no acceptable use. The unacceptable can never become acceptable. You have offered the perfect solution.

  16. anita roth says:

    Thank You for reminding me of this ! It is so easy to say the words but so much harder to control our mouth!

  17. lynda santillan says:

    ive been reading your blog for sometime now and this one is what I needed today…ive so much responsibility on me that I forget to thank him…thanks so much for your input..always

  18. I SO enjoyed this Yvonne … our true hearts escaping via the mouth. Well said … and a very good way of putting it!! I never had a “driving mouth” years ago but found that over the years hearing the constant barrage of bad words on TV, radio, movies, on the streets, etc. it started to become “normal” and when you hear these words all the time, it eventually becomes a very bad habit! A person, especially a woman or child, NEVER was exposed to bad words years ago – now, they are heard everywhere. It is all very sad! Thank you for this perfect wake-up call to all of us to pay attention to how we conduct ourselves and set an example. We can’t change the world but we can change ourselves!

    PS: I’m sure no one will believe this … but in all the years I lived at home with my parents, my Dad swore ONCE and my Mum, never!! I put this down to the fact that they were born in 1901 and 1902 respectively, so consequently, they didn’t hear these “driving” words back then (or even throughout the 50’s when I was a teenager) therefore, no bad habits ever were formed by them!

  19. A very timely reminder that I needed to hear again. Thanks

  20. Rhonda Kiessling says:

    Thank you for sharing God’s Word!

  21. Alice Prince says:

    Nice reminders “words of kindness …never go unnoticed” Thank You

  22. Such a good , Christian Faith based reminder for me. Thank you .

  23. Lorraine Hitchcock says:

    What a wonderful post with scripture references! My morning prayer everyday : Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

  24. I have been there, too, with the Driving word. It is startling to hear the horrible thing be repeated from the mouth of a young one…….I thank you for the scripture verses.

    Look forward to your posts and have enjoyed them for almost a year now.
    Rosalie

  25. I stopped saying a certain word also when my 2 year old repeated it. Now she has her own children and has learned the same lesson. Little pitchers certainly have big ears.

  26. Thank you. Perfect reminder for me today!

  27. Wow! That was perfect timing to reinforce what God is saying to me. I just left church and the sermon today was regarding the difference between godly repentance & worldly repentance. We truly need to watch over our hearts with dilegence so that when we ask forgiveness we really mean it – God’s way!

  28. Babette Thurston says:

    Hi Yvonne,
    What a wonderful reminder! The word of God brings reproof and redemption. It convicts my heart because I too have been guilty of this. Thank you for these verses and sharing your heart. ??

  29. As a child I learned the song, “Oh be careful little tongue what you say. For the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little tongue what you say.”

  30. Thank you for your boldness in sharing the Word. Living by God’s laws brings joy, peace , order in a chaotic world, and creativity to our lives. Thank you for these very special scriptures and reminders.

  31. I’m with you.A cup of kindness goes along way
    & costs nothing.

  32. Ernestine Nesby says:

    Yvonne, thank you so much for these words of encouragement I called them blind spots. It is true when Jesus said forgive them for they know not what they do. We must be conscious of what we say and what we don’t say. I tried to pay more attention to the words I say and the things I don’t say that I hid in my heart. This is my first time commenting on your Sunday devotions and I just want to say that they have been enlightning and they help me with my Bible study and my walk with the Lord each and every day. I just love Stonegable it’s such a wonderful blog . Ernestine Nesby : enesby@bellsouth.net

  33. Wonderful word Yvonne. Thank you.

  34. Psalm 19:14…….Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord my rock and Redeemer. This verse has helped me many times when I am either by myself or with a griup

    1. ROBERTA! I love this beautiful verse. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

  35. Angela Hamby says:

    I love this! Thank you so much for sharing your heart.

  36. Sherry Pelle says:

    I love your bible lessons Yvonne! I really like how you used “word vomit” as a description of words that should not come out of your mouth or into your mind. “Word vomit” is a description that children can understand.

  37. What beautiful words of wisdom and truth! I’d like to email this post to Donald Trump. Just saying…….

  38. Our character is like a sponge sitting by the sink. It looks fine until you apply pressure and squeeze it. Then what is inside comes out.
    I really enjoy your Sunday message Yvonne. My Pastor was speaking on this same subject last week…

  39. Your Sunday messages always leave my heart full and my mind thinking. Thank you for sharing!

  40. Thank you for these words today, they are very timely. Something I need to work on. I need to take the verses you referred to and memorize them. And it seems its usually when I driving that I get so frustrated. And unfortunately sometimes my grandchildren are with me when I say things I shouldn’t.

    1. Yvonne, I am reading this Monday morning over my coffee and at a time I normally do my bible study. I’m so glad I did. And not by chance! Your wording of His truth is so helpful and we can all identify. It’s such a great reminder to renew our hearts and minds early every, single day so that we grow in Christ, our hearts, thoughts, words and actions. Thank you!

  41. My driving word is idiot. 🙁
    Thanks for the lesson.

    1. Been using it more of late when I am reading/watching political stuff!

  42. Barbara Rollins says:

    Yvonne, how “refreshing” to hear someone sharing their heart, in such an inspirational way. Our God has “gifted”‘you with
    a purpose…not only to inspire your readers with creativity, but to draw closer to CHRIST. Thank you so much for using your
    wonderful site for good. May God contiue to bless you as you choose to bless others.
    Barbara. Numbers 6:24-26

  43. Great word, thank you.

  44. Great lesson! Thank you for sharing your Spirit filled journey with all of us!

  45. Love this! Great reminder that words are really what is in our hearts. I pray as we all get ready to vote we remember this lesson.

  46. Great post Yvonne! It is so difficult in this time in our nation to do what seems to be against our very faith based beliefs and elect someone that doesn’t seem to live this truth in their life (both candidates). Both our words and our hearts matter so much. I keep thinking of these verses and praying that God will guide the outcome.

    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,[f] and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16: 17-18

    In my own life, I shared a post and a story about when my then 13 year old son realized his 3 year old brother takes in his words. We don’t use foul words in our home. Here’s the story. http://www.slightlycoastal.com/diy-coffeetable-tray-the-birth-of-humor/

  47. Yvonne, this is so true! One of my favorite bible verses (on my IG page). You wrote it beautifully, thank you for sharing. Blessings?

  48. Wonderful lesson and beautifully written!

  49. Thank you for those words. It is easier to control our tongues than our minds. I continue to work on having a clean heart.

  50. Barbara Hewitt says:

    I appreciate your blog. I often pass your Sunday posting on to grandchildren. Your design style is wonderful. Thank you very much.