According to God’s Word, there is a definite connection between the heart and the tongue.  The heart is the source of everything that the tongue speaks. The heart isn’t just the organ that pumps the life blood of a person, however. According to Jesus the heart of man is the source of  “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.”  (Mark 7:21)   These ungodly sins come from the heart and then the mouth speaks and directs a person into the trouble.

As we read today’s proverbs, there are several that relate to the heart and the tongue.  This ancient wisdom of Solomon is relevant for us today.  Proverbs 14:3 states that “a fool’s talk brings a rod to his back but the  lips of the wise protect them.”  “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge but the mouth of fools gushes folly.”  (Proverbs 15:2)    Proverbs 17:20 talks of a man with a perverse heart and a deceitful tongue.  The heart and tongue lead this man into trouble and lack.  Punishment awaits those with perverse hearts and lips that speak lies and folly. In fact, the Lord detests all who are proud of heart and He promises punishment! (Proverbs 16:5)

The wise person has a heart that is discerning and lips that promote instruction.  (Proverbs 16:21)  The wise man’s heart guides his mouth and brings forth pleasant words that are sweet to the soul and promote healing.  (Proverbs 16:23-24)  It is the fear of the Lord that teaches the heart wisdom,  and humility brings understanding and honor.  (Proverbs 15:32-33)  As we think of Jesus Christ and His own life of humility and living in the fear of the Lord, we see how His heart guided his mouth.  We are reminded of lips that brought healing and pleasant words of instruction.  His parables came from a heart sold out to God.  He only said what His father said, and did what His Father did! (John 5:19)

Do you need a new heart and a clean mouth?  The good news is that a new heart is available today through Jesus Christ!  He is the only one who can help you!  He was totally pure in heart and perfectly obedient to the Father in order to give His life as a sacrifice for us to free us from our sins!  If you will confess your sins to Him,  He is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse your heart.  Today is a great time to do just that!

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.  I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.”  Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)

“Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your foreheads.  Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This passage from our reading today is known by faithful Jews as the “Shema”.  This Hebrew word simply means “listen”. The Shema is quoted twice daily by devout Jews around the world reminding them of the importance of a relationship with the one true God.  This passage was quoted by Jesus in part when he was asked which was the greatest commandment.  He answered with “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  (Matthew 22:37-38)  This ancient word from a sermon of Moses around 1500 years before Christ was foundational in the devotional life of God’s people.  Let’s examine it closer today and seek to apply it to our lives as twenty-first century AD Christians.

First, hearing is important!  God wants us to have ears to hear His voice!  Remember that the nation of Israel did not want to hear God’s voice speaking His commandments.  They had asked Moses to hear for them so they would not die.  Moses was repeating what God had told him.  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God! (Romans 10:17)  God sends His people out to speak His Word to bring faith and obedience and the resulting blessing on His own.

Second, the Lord is one!  There is no other God but God!  He is the creator of heaven and earth.  He is holy and complete in Himself.  He desires the love of His children and loves them infinitely, desiring the best for them.  His love is expressed in his Word and commandments.  When we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we are actively responding to His Word in obedience.  If we love Him, we obey His commands. (John 15:9-11)  His joy will be in us and our life will be full!

The last point to look at in this devotion is the need to impress these commands of the Lord on our children. If these commands are on our hearts, we will pass them on.  The most effective way to pass them on is to live them out and speak about them in the normal flow of life.  Live them out from morning to night.  Make them the focus of all you do because they are on your own heart!  It’s pretty simple really!  What an impact on the next generation!  Are you listening?