Harvest

Read Proverbs 18

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

Matthew 12:35-36

Weeds are killers. Mowing seems like twice the chore due to the excessive number of weeds that seem to spring up almost overnight. A lovely lawn is the result of attacking this persistent plant life with a fine-grade mower . . . at least for the moment. It isn’t long, however, until nature’s nuisance sprouts forth from unscathed roots with a vengeance. The secret to weed killing is at the root level.

In the same way, we are often tempted to cut our bad habits at lip level—foul language, criticism. We swear off swearing and promise “not an idle word” from our lips. Soon, however, the roots of sinful behavior that are firmly implanted in our hearts sprout new growth and work their way up to become visible again. Jesus gets to the root of the issue: Evil words come from an evil heart. It is not enough to cut bad habits at lip level. We need a heart transplant—pulling up weeds of ungodliness by the roots and planting goodness in their place. Only then are we prepared to give account for our words.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t be ashamed of the transcript of your life.

Today, Lord, cleanse my heart and affect my speech. May I be accountable to you for each word.