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. Then, as we guard our hearts, the mouth, the eyes, and the feet will follow. Today, let’s take a look at our mouth, or speech.
First, Proverbs 4:24 warns against crooked speech. Crooked speech uses words that aren’t entirely true. Half-truths. Exaggerations. Telling stories and giving answers that are partially true so as to cover up things that are not true.
Next, our proverb warns against devious talk. This describes many kinds of harmful 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 – Ourselves.
Jesus also connected our hearts 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.
Jesus gives us this simple formula: Good heart – good words. Bad heart – bad words.
What is the cure for crooked and devious speech? Well if Jesus is right (he is) and our heart is the source of our words, then the cure for evil speech is the new heart. But having a new heart from Christ is not a magic wand that erases all of our crooked and devious speech (just hang around church for a while and you’ll know I’m right). The new heart must still be guarded with the wisdom of Christ. It must be protected by the gospel. We must remain vigilant to strengthen our new hearts by 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. We must ask ourselves why? Why do I talk this way? Why do I lie? Why do I deceive? Why do I disparage others? Why do I curse others out? Why do I complain about everyone? Why do I break promises?
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 self-protect. We don’t have to fit in with others. 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 