Heart Checks

I was reading Matthew chapter 15 today.  Versus 17-20 spoke to me. 

Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.  These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.

Before these verses, the Pharisees came to Jesus asking why his disciples break the tradition and do not wash their hands before they eat bread.  Verses 17-20 were the explanation to his disciples.

 I began to think about the fact that what is in my heart comes out of my mouth.  But I quickly wanted to quit thinking about that.  However, even dwelling on those things for a moment, gave me a good gauge of some areas that need attention.  We truly need to pay attention to what we are saying.  Obviously thinking before speaking would be the best, but since we do not always do that, thinking about what we have said is the next best.  If we will allow ourselves to take time to dwell on our words, the Lord will be quick to show us what needs to change, and hopefully once revealed we will be quick to repentance.   Taking the time to allow the Lord to show us things we have said will help us to continually keep our hearts in check.  If we can make these heart checks a habit, there should be fewer things to change.    This will get our hearts into a healthy place, allowing the Lord to shine even brighter through us.