For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Matthew 12:34b NLT

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3 NLT

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must be all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 1:19-20 NLT

How many people do speak to in a day? Your mom and dad, sisters or brothers, kids at school, your teachers, kids you play sports with, it can be lots.

Today we are going to think about what we say and how we say things to others. Our first verse is Jesus speaking. He says that whatever is in our hearts, that is what our mouths will speak. If we have love and kindness in our hearts, like Jesus, then we will speak kind and encouraging words.

Our second verse tells us that if we guard our mouths (think before we speak) we have life, but if we just say whatever comes to mind especially if it is mean, it can lead to ruin. And our third verse is advice from the book of James. James tells us that we should be quick to listen to others, but slow to speak and slow to get angry.

Did anyone ever say something mean to you and then you said something mean back to them? We all have at one time or another. But Jesus asks us to be different. He says that out of the goodness in our hearts we should speak good things.

For example, when I was a teacher, I had a student who was angry and said, “I hate you!” I could have said something mean back or punished him. But I stopped to think a minute and was slow to speak, and then I said, “I’m so sorry you feel that way because I love having you in my class.” He later said he was sorry and didn’t mean it.

This week, talk with your parents about speaking from your heart, being like Jesus, and thinking before you speak. Practice taking time to think before you speak so that you speak from the goodness of your heart and shine Jesus for others to see.

Blessings and joy as you speak from your heart like Jesus!

Advice about speaking to others:

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.” My Mom (and Thumper in Bambi)

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”              Proverbs 18:21

“Timely advice is lovely. like golden apples in a silver basket.”  Proverbs 25:11