READING: Amos 7-9, Matthew 15
As believers, we ought to be willing to invite others to watch our lives closely. We should not be afraid for others to watch what we view on our computer screens and how we love our spouses. We should not be ashamed to show what we read, what we watch, and what we listen to. Simply stated, we should imitate Christ – and welcome examination by others.
I suspect, though, that many of us struggle in another area: our mouths. We sometimes speak too quickly and too harshly. We judge without reason. We curse to let off steam. We tell jokes we’d never tell if Jesus were standing beside us physically. Or, we speak one way in public and another way in private; that is, we’re hypocrites with our speech. What comes out of our mouths really does reveal, as Jesus taught us, what’s in our heart.
Jesus was not limiting His application to our words as evidence of our heart, but He surely was not ignoring our words. The way we talk reflects our inner being – and we will answer for each word. May God help us only to honor Him in the way we speak!
PRAYER: “God, help me to guard my words today. I want to speak only that which honors You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Hosea 1-3, Matthew 16
