The Tongue: Reflecting Our Hearts and Directing Our Lives

September 1, 2026

There is a striking connection between James’ teaching on the tongue in James chapter 3 and Jesus’ teaching on the tongue in Matthew 12. When we compare these teachings, we see that the tongue (our speech) is both an indicator of our spiritual condition and a driver of our spiritual growth.

Jesus taught in Matthew 12 that, “… the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34 NASB95). Similarly, in Matthew 15, Jesus said, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man” (Matthew 15:18). We see that the tongue is a window into what is going on in our hearts. The heart is the center of our inner being—the seat of our thoughts and attitudes. Whatever fills our heart will eventually come out of our mouths. And if what comes out is evil, it will defile us.

The words that come from our heart are very powerful. They not only indicate what is inside of us, but they have a great impact on the direction of our lives. James writes, “… If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well… Ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires” (James 3:2-4). Just as a small bit can control the direction of a horse, and just as a small rudder can control the direction of a ship, so also the tongue, which is a small part of our body, can control the direction of our lives.

Does our speech really drive the course of our lives? It does, and we have all seen this effect in real life. When we’re upset and we keep on talking about our anger, what is likely to happen? We become more angry. Our words can be the fuel for rising anger. If we continually engage in boastful language, going on and on about how great we are, those words can fuel an even greater arrogance within us. On the other hand, the tongue can also direct our lives in a good way. If we are in the habit of expressing our thanksgiving to God, it will lead to us being even more thankful. When we speak well of someone we are at odds with, when we lift up their name in prayer, those words begin to reshape our perception of that person.

So we see that the tongue reveals our heart and has a bearing on the direction of our lives.  The tongue is quite powerful—both for good and for evil. May we learn to bridle our tongues and let our words be a source of blessing in our own lives and the lives of others.

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | heart, hearts, James 3:2-4, Matthew 12:33-37, Matthew 15:18-20, the tongue | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

What Spills Out

March 11, 2019

A man had a short temper. He seemed nice enough until he lost his temper, and then, he could inflict emotional pain with his words. The outbursts would come with the frustrations and accidents of life, and those kinds of moments always come. In his book, After You Believe, N.T. Wright tells this story.

A famous preacher had a friend who was well known for his short temper. One day, at a party, he asked this friend to help him serve some drinks. The preacher himself poured the drinks, deliberately filling several glasses a bit too full. He then passed the tray to his friend. As they walked into the room to distribute the drinks, he accidentally-on-purpose bumped into the friend, causing the tray to jiggle and some of the drinks to flow over the brim and spill. “There you are, you see,” said the preacher. “When you’re jolted, what spills out is whatever is filling you.”

When you are jolted, what spills out reveals your character. In a discussion about unclean foods, Jesus makes the same point.

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20–23, ESV)

That is why Jesus talks about trees and their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20, 12:33-37). A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. Somehow, I don’t think Jesus is giving a lesson on tending orchards. He instructs us to “make the tree good.” Jesus’ solution for behavior (“fruit” in Jesus’ parable) is to transform us on the inside (“make the tree good”). When our character is transformed to be more Christ-like, we don’t have to worry much about the actions that spring from such character. After all, good trees (people) produce good fruit (behavior).

This really is God’s plan. When Jeremiah prophesies of the new covenant, it is about “the law written on hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). When Paul summarizes the big picture of what it is all about, he says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29, ESV, my emphasis). We are to be like Jesus.

Character transformation is a lifelong process. We must cooperate with God to allow Him to change us on the inside. It takes God’s word. It takes prayer. It takes effort. It takes time. When you are jolted, what spills out?

Leave a Comment » | character, Jeremiah 31:33, Mark 7:20-23, Matthew 12:33-37, Matthew 7:15-20, Romans 8:29, sanctification, transformation, what is inside defiles a person | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden