Heart to Mouth

Heart to Mouth (written by David Peterson)

Physician Luke captures the message of Jesus from His “Sermon on the Plain” near Capernaum. Luke 6:43-45 quotes Jesus saying; “For there is no good tree that bears bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree that bears good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

Parallel scripture can be read in Matthew 7:15-20. Jesus uses the metaphor that a person’s heart is like a tree that yields fruit, and we must be careful with our influences, lest our speech reveals its nature, either good or evil.

John Piper, a well-known preacher and theologian once wrote; “When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.”

Piper echoes the reality that Jesus offers in that when Christ is in us, fruit of the spirit comes out of us. Authentic Christians speak with love and the joy in their heart cannot be contained.

A revered hymn from 1912, written by Kate B. Wilkinson, appeals to Christ to fill our hearts, minds and lives with all of His gifts. May the Mind of Christ, My Savior is a hymn that asks for His love, peace, and strength “as we onward go”.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with your fruit so that we speak the words you want us to say.