What we say is who we are

All three synoptic Gospels write of the blasphemy against the Spirit, but it is Matthew who extends the discussion by way of personal application. Here is what, Jesus says to those guilty of such blasphemy.
“You brood of snakes! How can you say anything good since you are evil? What you say reveals what you have treasured in your heart. The good man lives a productive life, drawing upon the good that is stored in his heart, but the evil man expresses by his evil acts the wickedness stored within. I tell you, on the Day of Judgment, each of you will have to answer for every thoughtless word you have spoken. You will be declared innocent or guilty on the basis of the words you have spoken” (Matt. 12:34-35, Jesus, in His Own Words, p. 89).
       There are so many points worth serious discussion in this response by our Lord, but what I want to discuss is what Jesus has to say about our words revealing who we really are. He identifies two kinds of people, the evil and the good. The words of the evil man express the wickedness he has stored within; by way of contrast, the good man draws upon the good that he has treasured in his heart. In short, what we say reveals who we are. Wasn’t it Plato who said, “Speak, that I may know thee?” 
       The point that strikes me is that we inevitably reveal by what we say that which we have been storing away in our heart.  Let’s say you have a bad opinion about someone and as time passes you keep picking up on the negative and each new occasion the existing bad opinion becomes worse and worse. This process is not something you plan on and take special enjoyment about, it just happens because by nature (the old nature) that is how it works. Sooner or later you will say something, probably when you will least expect it, that will not only shock them, but will give even you a second thought. What has happened is that you have expressed the evil that is in your heart. I believe that is exactly what Jesus said, “What you say reveals what you have treasured in your heart” (the use of 2nd person is not to shame anyone – I have no right nor basis for that – but simply to correspond with how Jesus puts it in scripture).
       The question, then, is how to control what comes out of the mouth. Note that both men – “each of you” – will have to answer for “every thoughtless word you have spoken.”  I believe the problem has nothing to do with the mouth itself. That is merely the instrument used by the heart. It does what ever it is told to do. As always, it is the heart – who we really are down deep where it really counts. On the brighter side, if the heart is involved in an ongoing process of change, words will reveal it. That’s called sanctification, the process whereby we become in practice the person we already are in Christ. And is that ever important because where there is no change over time, there never was one to begin with. “By their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:16).
       Isn‘t God good that he is more interested in our growth in Christlikeness than in some unreasonable demand that we become as sinless as our mentor Christ – and that, right now. Our thoughtless words bring him no pleasure, but he keeps watching for change, not a changed mouth, but a changing heart. Sign me up, Lord; that’s what I want.