Luke 6:43-45 – ‘…the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart’
At the time of Jesus and the apostles, Roman colonies were little bits of Rome planted throughout the world, where the citizens never forgot that they were Romans. Citizens spoke the Latin language, wore the usual Latin clothes, and called their magistrates by Latin names, however far they might be from Rome. (Barclay) In the same way, the Apostle Paul was continually appealing to those who belonged to Christ that they have a much higher duty than Rome itself. Wherever Christians were, they were to be little bits of heaven on earth speaking the language of heaven, while also living out its customs by the grace that Christ affords. Wherever Rome’s values and mandates conflicted with Christ’s values and mandates, Christians were to choose Christ’s rule over Caesar’s rule.
When Jesus addressed how Christians should interact with non-Christians, he said they were to use gentleness and respect. Christians must never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Christians are to honor all people as image bearers of God. Christians are to pray for their enemies and do everything possible to try to be at peace with them while never compromising the truth of God’s Word.
In this divisive season of politics, what has your tone been on social media? Have you been speaking with implications of superiority, insult, and even threats? This is not wisdom from heaven but rather what James calls demonic (James 3:15).
Jesus said, ‘the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.’ Have you been filling your heart with the Word of God allowing it to act as a governor over what you say and what you type?
Heavenly Father, help us to hide your word in our hearts that we might not sin against you. We thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to live with self-control. Amen.