Word for the day: "Condition of the Heart"

Today's word-cup is brought to you by Robin BakerProverbs 13:3 (GWT) “Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin”We have all heard this saying at one time or another “It’s not what you say, but how you say it” but how many of us really take it to heart? If the truth be told not many of us. As a writer and director I am very passionate about my work. When I am in my director’s flow my cast will tell you that I am a beast. There are times when I may say something that comes off as harsh, but it may not be the way I intended it come across. So I often say charge it to my mouth, but not my heart. Most of the actors that have worked with me before know that although I may be hard on them, it’s just my way of getting the best out of them. My problem is that I don’t think before I speak sometimes. I know. I can be arrogant … and stubborn. And trust me I am working on this. My prayer to God is: “Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.” Amen!How many of you find yourself in the same boat? Speaking before you think, or maybe you have found that you can be short and sharp with words. Guilty as charged. Words are power tools that can build and encourage. Words can also destroy and cause confusion. We have all been hurt and even defeated by words spoken in anger or words rising out of a wounded and bitter heart. I have been guilty of speaking damaging words with the ulterior motive of demonstrating control. It is so easy for my mouth to be in motion before my mind is in gear and the result is rarely good or godly. If we do not learn to use and control our tongue, it will use and control us. While it is true that we need to choose our words carefully, it is just as true that the tongue often times reflects the condition of the heart. “The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart. Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things” (Matthew 12:34b-35, NCV).“If my words are boastful, my heart is insecure. If my words are filthy, my heart is impure and if my words are critical, my heart is filled with pride and anger. In other words, the problem is not really my mouth, it’s my heart. The words I speak reflect the true condition of my heart”….. Mary SoutherlandThe right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way can bring order in the midst of confusion and light on a very dark path. God gave many commands and direction during His time here on earth, but he never spoke in harsh tones nor with angry words, but always with love and kindness. Sisters and Brothers let us be mindful of how we speak to our husbands, wives, children, family members, friends, co-workers and our fellow servants of God. Always remember that what comes out of our mouth is a reflection of the true condition of the heart! Have a blessed day.Min Robin Baker