Owning the Words that Come Out of Our Mouths

"Christ said, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out  of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6.45).  Our problem with words is not primarily a matter of vocabulary, skill, or timing.  

       Have you ever said, "Oops, I didn't mean to say that!"  Often it would be more accurate to say, "I'm sorry, I said exactly what I meant!"  If the thought, attitude, desire, emotion, or purpose hadn't been in your heart, it wouldn't have come out of your mouth.  

       Christ isn't saying that people never put their foot in their mouth and say something stupid.  We all have.  But He is asking us to own the connection between our thoughts, desires, and words.  The real problem with our communication is what we want to say and why we want to say it, which ultimately has nothing to do with our language skills. Christ reveals that the what and the why are shaped by the heart.  Therefore, if we hope to transform the way we talk with one another, the heart must change first."

     -- Tim Lane & Paul Tripp, excerpt from Relationships: A Mess Worth Making (pg72)

I would add, that after realizing your sin to a brother, sister, or even your own child, you don't just leave it at "I'm Sorry".  Reconciliation, or continued fellowship, never comes by merely describing your inner feelings toward your own outer wickedness to the one you've hurt.  

Reconciliation comes through REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS. That means after the "Sorry" you actually humble yourself and ask another human being to forgive you and the sin you've committed.  

Yeah, I know, I know... radical stuff...crazy Jesus stuff.