Proverbs 8:7. for my mouth will utter truth;
Solomon uses an interesting word here in Proverbs 8:7. He says that Wisdom utters truth. The word utter means to mumble to yourself. So the wise person isn’t just saying the truth out loud to others, they are saying it to themselves quietly.
Do you talk to yourself? Do you utter the truth to yourself? Do you go over things in your mind and heart, making sure they are true, before you let them come out of your mouth? More importantly, do you know how to preach the gospel to yourself?
Preach to myself?
Gospel self-talk is truly one of the most important things the Christian must master. As Paul Tripp once said, “No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.”
The Psalmist knew this truth about uttering truth to yourself. He called it meditation.
Psalm 143:5. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
Psalm 63:6. when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
The Psalmist is talking to himself about the faithfulness and love of God. When he is awake in the middle of the night, he doesn’t just doom scroll or binge watch, he utters. He rehearses God.
What is your self-talk in times of failure and sin? Does the gospel form your inner response? What about in time of success and growth? Does the gospel shape your heart in those seasons as well? Are your reactions to life rooted in gospel truths? Are they full of God’s grace and kindness, his honor and respect for you? His desire to transform you into the likeness of Jesus?
Are you able to use the gospel truth to guard your heart and mind against the lies and accusations of the Enemy? When he brings up your shame, can you bring up your forgiveness? When he reminds you of your sin, can you remind yourself of your salvation?
Is your self-talk proactive? Are you preaching the gospel to yourself before you stumble? Before you fall? You need to be. Why? Because truthful self-talk in the moment of guilt and shame is far more difficult to achieve than truthful self-talk in those quiet moments when shame is not raging inside of you.
The good news is that by our union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit, God himself is uttering truth to our hearts constantly. We never have to rely on our own ability to meditate upon, utter, express, or self-preach the gospel to our own hearts – Christ in us is uttering the grace of God in that still small voice.
Are you listening?
You: Do you regularly and proactively preach the gospel to yourself?
You in Christ: In Christ the Truth is living in us. How can you use the gospel to combat a specific lie that you tend to believe?
Christ in you: How can you make “preaching the gospel to yourself” a daily spiritual discipline?
Pray: Father, let your words of love and kindness toward me in Christ fill my heart and mind today. Help me to utter them to myself. Amen.
To Live is Christ 