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

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God, the Examiner of Hearts

August 8, 2023

One theme that we find in the Sermon on the Mount is that God sees the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and that those inner thoughts and intentions will determine our standing with God.  It’s not merely our actions that God is concerned about, but the condition of our inner being.  For example, in the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who are “poor in spirit,” on those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” and on those who are “pure in heart.”  Each of these qualities are first and foremost a condition of the inner person (though they certainly create noticeable, external effects).

Later in Jesus’ sermon, He continues teaching about the condition of our hearts.  “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court…” (Matthew 5:21-22a NAS95) We all get angry at times, but Jesus is teaching us that to continue in anger toward another, to nurse our anger and hold on to it makes us guilty before God.  This is entirely a matter of the heart!  Notice that Jesus hasn’t said anything about the words we say in anger, or the things we do in anger.  It’s all about what is going on inside—things that only God could know!  Yes, Jesus deals with the words that we might say in anger (later in the same verse). But notice that it all starts as thoughts within the heart.

Similarly, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 NAS95) Here is another case where no physical act is taking place.  One might think they are in a right relationship with God because they didn’t “do” anything.  But Jesus says that God looks at lust in the heart as adultery.

Sometimes people will flippantly say, in order to lightly excuse their sinful behavior, “God knows my heart!”  Yes, God does indeed know our hearts, and the sin that dwells there can condemn us eternally.  We must have a deep concern about the condition of our hearts!  The teaching of Jesus, when heard carefully, will not cause us to casually dismiss our sinfulness, but will drive us into the arms of Jesus to beg for His mercy, His cleansing, and His continual transformation of our hearts through His Spirit.  Thank God for the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus!      

—Scott Colvin

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