Proverbs 4:24. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
Yesterday we learned one of life’s most important lessons – we must guard our hearts. The primary way we guard our hearts is by continuing to trust in Jesus. And when we guard our hearts, the mouth, the eyes, and the feet will follow.
Here’s how Christ connected the heart to our speech:
Luke 6:45. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Good heart – good words. Bad heart – bad words.
Proverbs 4:24 is saying the same thing. First it warns against crooked speech. Crooked speech uses words that aren’t entirely true. Do you tell half-truths? Do you exaggerate things? Do you cover things up with your stories and answers?
Next our proverb warns against devious talk. This describes many kinds of unwholesome speech, including telling jokes or stories that are unclean, using curse words to tear people down, and even breaking promises. All of these kinds of devious talk reveal what is in our heart. They show what we care about the most. Our affections.
What is the cure for crooked and devious speech? Wisdom. Guarding our hearts with the wisdom of Christ and his cross, the gospel. Trusting our union with Christ.
The proverb tells us to put away crooked speech and devious talk. But we must do more than just put these away, especially in our own strength. We must go deeper into our hearts. Ask why? Why do we talk this way? Why do we lie? Why do we deceive? Why do we disparage others? Why do we curse others out?
When we know that we are loved by God no matter what, and that we have all that we need in and through Christ, then we know that we don’t have to lie, or cover up in order to look good. We don’t have to fit in with unwholesome stories. We don’t need to curse others to feel good about ourselves. The more we trust our position in Christ, the more we will begin to sound like Christ. Putting away crooked words while taking hold of Jesus’ words of life.
You: How would you describe your usual speech patterns? Crooked? Devious?
You in Christ: How can knowing that you have all you need in Christ change the way you speak to others around you?
Christ in you: Who do you know that could use an encouraging word from Christ today? Can you speak that word?
Pray: Father, fill my heart with your love for me in Christ and let your love become the words I speak. Amen.
To Live is Christ 