by Pastor John Kim

Jonathan Edwards Resolution #58
Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. (May 27, and July 13, 1723)

Conversations. Talks. Social networking. “Fellowship” and “sharing” at church. Lunch time with the co-workers. Late night chats with friends. All these and more take place throughout the day with family, friends, classmates, roommates, and a host of others within our circle of relationships and there is a lot that gets communicated beyond just words. Our tone, our facial expressions, and all the other non-verbal cues that accompany our speech will often betray a message that is much more clear than the sentences we use.

The Scriptures are clear that what we say matters to God. It matters what we say and how we say it because we convey agendas to people that expose our heart intentions and judgments toward others or about others.

Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” I think it is very important that we take time to see what happens during our conversations. If we were to be gauged and evaluated as to each conversation we have with people, would it show that we don’t like certain people? Do we show that we are anxious or stressed about situations? Do we get angry to the point where people have no doubt as to our emotional state because the words and expressions are so fiery that there is stream streaming out of the nostrils and ears.

Matthew 15:18-19
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

The Scriptures show that the words that come out of our mouths are directly connected to the spiritual condition of our hearts and if our hearts are filled with a lack of love for people, anxiety, or anger, it will reveal itself through our words. Conversely, if we are walking in the Spirit, we will exhibit through our words an attitude of love, cheerfulness, and instead of being harmful, we will be a blessing. We will show grace to those who are in need of a timely word. We will be patient when someone wrongs us with an unjust accusation or a sarcastic comment. We will not allow circumstances to rob us of our joy. Sounds easy but it actually is impossible if the Holy Spirit is not empowering you from the heart. Ugly things can come out of our mouths but all that shows is the ugliness within our hearts.

Jonathan Edwards was resolved to walk in the Spirit and to fulfill the Word of God by submitting every conversation to the Lordship of Christ. You can see it in his writings – he was completely consumed with how the glory of God related to all things that he studied.

May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to our Lord and be a blessing to those around us.

In His grace,
Pastor John