On Sunday, I wrote about the Fruit of the Spirit, and now we have today’s devotion. There is a connection between these two, because our lives cannot demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit if we are speaking ungodly things. We cannot say ungodly things and expect God to be pleased. There is a way that believers should speak. The Spirit guides our hearts as well as our tongues. In Matthew 15:18, we find these words:

“‘But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you’.”

What Matthew is saying is that people are damaged by their own sinfulness, which they express when they speak. Saying false things about someone or having evil thoughts in our hearts that ultimately turn into words that flow from our mouths are examples of what he references.   It is amazing how many of us have misused our words. What we say, and how we say it, are so important! Be careful of what comes out of your mouth! Should you find that you have hurt someone with your words, say to that person: “I am sorry, please forgive me.” God will forgive you, and prayerfully those you have hurt will also forgive you. From this day forward, let us discipline ourselves so that our words are pleasing unto God and give Him glory.