LIVING HOPE - Reading With the People of God: Part 18ಮಾದರಿ

Let Your Words Show It

As a husband and father, I’ve come to realize how much my words shape the atmosphere of my home. A simple word of encouragement can lift my kids’ spirits, while a careless or harsh word can weigh heavy on them for hours. There have been times when I’ve walked away from a conversation with my wife or children and thought, “Why did I say that? That’s not who I want to be.”

God’s Word reminds us that our words and actions don’t just reveal what’s going on in the moment, they expose what’s going on in our hearts. One of the things Isaiah 59 speaks to is how sin creates a wall between us and God, not because He doesn’t want to listen, but because our actions, choices, and words reveal where our hearts are. In James 3, it tells us how powerful our tongues are, that the very same mouth that blesses God can also curse others who are made in His image.

Everyday life constantly reminds us of this tension. We can try to keep it all under control, but eventually what’s inside spills out. That’s why these passages matter so deeply. They remind us that no one can break down the wall of sin or tame the tongue on their own. We need grace. We need the Spirit’s transforming work.

The good news is that God has already made a way. In Christ, the barrier is torn down. Forgiveness is real. And through His Spirit, He can change not only what comes out of our mouths, but the very heart from which our words flow. So, here’s the challenge: If Christ has freed your heart, then let your words show it.

Primer contributed by Jonathan Knapp, executive pastor, Cornerstone Community Church.