Does your Tongue Reflect your Heart?

Proverbs 18:21

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

The Bible contains many scriptures about one of the smallest members of our bodies--the tongue. These verses emphasize the importance of using our words wisely and with careful consideration because of their tremendous impact. 

Our  tongue wields great influence; with it, we can uplift or tear down. If we are not careful, our speech can kill dreams, steal joy, and destroy relationships. Careless words do a disservice not only to others but also to ourselves. In fact, we can become our own biggest roadblock by failing to speak God's promises over our lives.

If we are honest with ourselves, we can admit that we sometimes get caught up in negative self-talk and fail to align our words with God's truth, which has the power to lift us out of darkness and into his illuminating light. 

As believers, we stand in the authority of Christ, our words can be used to build up, restore, encourage, and transform circumstances. Yet, too often we forget our position in Christ and speak without thinking, causing harm rather than good.

Luke 6:45 tells us  "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks", whatever is in our hearts will be reflected in our communication. But if we practice aligning our speech with the Word of God, our words will be seasoned with grace and wisdom. We will know how to guard our hearts and be wise with our speech.

Is this going to happen overnight? No, but with self-reflection and a commitment to changing how you communicate will allow you to partner with the Holy Spirit to see lasting results. 

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on the words you speak daily--to yourself, to others, and even in prayer. Are they words of life or words of doubt and fear? Ask God to reveal areas where your speech needs transformation and seek His wisdom to guard your tongue.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of speech and the power of words, Help me to use my tongue to speak life, encouragement and truth. Guard my heart so that my words reflect Your love and wisdom. When I am tempted to speak neagtively, remind me of Your promises. Let my speech always bring you glory.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

#freshmanna #freshmannainspired #bibleverse #devotional #dailybread #speaklife #wordshavepower #thepowerofthetongue #bepositive #kindspeech

Check your Habits

Ephesians 4:22-24

"That you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."

Some say that old habits are hard to change. However, as children of God, we are responsible for evaluating our behavior and identifying any ungodly habits we may be holding onto. A habit is an acquired behavior pattern that is regularly followed until it becomes almost involuntary.

We cannot entertain old habits that lead to temptation. These may include gossiping, complaining, holding grudges, engaging in impure thoughts, or neglecting prayer and study of God's word. Instead, we are called to be renewed in our minds so that our actions align with the will of God. This means replacing old habits with new, godly ones -- such as speaking words of encouragement, practicing gratitude, forgiving others, guarding our thoughts, showing kindness, and dedicating time to prayer and scripture.

When we put away old habits and cultivate new ones that strengthen our spiritual walk, we experience renewal. We become new when our mindset is transformed. A new mind in Christ will naturally align with the principles of the Kingdom of God.

Reflection:

Are there any ungodly habits that I am holding on to? Why?

Prayer for Renewal

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging my need for transformation. Help me to recognize and let go of any habits that draw me away from You. Renew my mind and fill me with a desire to walk in righteousness. Strengthen me to develop habits that glorify You—habits of love, patience, forgiveness, and faithfulness. May my thoughts, words, and actions reflect Your holiness. Thank You for Your grace and for the new life I have in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#freshmanna #freshmannainspired #bibleverse #dailybread #Devotional #renewedmind #godlyhabits

Seek God's Hidden Truths

Jeremiah 33:3

"Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Have you ever called a friend, intending to share something important, only for the conversation to take a completely different direction? By the end, you never got the chance to tell them the good news you had prepared.

Did you know that God wants to talk to you? When we seek the Lord with our whole heart and call upon His name, He responds. God is ready to reveal things we don't yet know—things the Bible tells us are hidden. But sometimes, we miss what He wants to share with us.

Often, after calling on Him, we pour out out troubles, vent our frustrations, and then forget to pause and listen. Yet, God desires to speak powerful truths into our lives. He longs to reveal deep things to us, but if we only seek Him to solve our problems, we may miss hearing His heart.

God is always available to hear our cries—

Cries of distress, brokenness, suffering, and pain. He wants us to unload our burdens, cares, and frustrations. But more than that, He wants us to seek Him simply to know Him.

Take the time this week to pause and listen, you never know what is going to share.

#freshmanna #Freshmannainspired #bibleverse #Devotional #dailybread #Jesus #callonJesus