Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil
Actions and words have power to create spiritual growth, or they have power for destruction. Therefore, the heart must be kept with all diligence and close attention paid to the three gateways to the heart: the ears, the eyes, and the mouth. Thus, we are cautioned to guard those gateways, because in doing so, we guard our heart, for it is the heart that determines the direction of our life (Proverbs 4:23). And as water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the man (Proverbs 27:19).
The first gateway is our hearing. Jesus said to be careful of our listening, because the measure of thought and consideration that is given to what is heard will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that we absorb and speak for others to hear (Mark 4:24-28).
The second gateway are the eyes that can embrace either good or evil. What evil do the eyes capture when watching ungodly, profane, or salacious television programs, movies, book themes, and pornography. This should not be, for the Word cautions thatthe lamp of the body is the eye. If the eye is good, the whole body is full of light.But if the eye is bad, then the whole body is full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in us is darkness, how great is that darkness!? (Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV).
The third gateway is the mouth. This is given more attention because there is great power in spoken words, for death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Words have power over circumstances and can redirect us to godly, faith-filled thinking or to ungodly negative thoughts, words, and actions. Therefore, we are told to put away a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from us (Proverbs 4:24).
What are perverse lips? They speak corrupt, misleading, or morally twisted speech that reflect an evil heart and a disregard for truth and righteousness. The Bible clearly instructs believers to “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
What is corrupt communication? It is inappropriate language unbecoming for believers. It is debased words that improperly express emotions. Some may argue that cursing is not corrupt speech, however, the Word tells us not to speak foul or dirty words that offend others and God, but we are to say only what helps and encourages others and ourselves (Ephesians 4:29).
Christians are to set examples for others. The Bible says that the mouth is a barometer of the heart. Jesus said that the good person out of the good treasure of his heart speaks what is good, but the evil person out of his treasure speaks evil, for it is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).
Words carry great power revealing the testimony of who we are and what we believe. Therefore, every word that we speak over ourselves or to others should edify and never offend or tear down, for it is out of the same mouth that can come both blessing and cursing. Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? This should not be so, because profanity is inconsistent with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, who emphasized purity of heart (James 3:10).
We are called to speak life giving words that align with God’s truth which opens doors to blessings. God spoke life into chaos and brought light into the darkness. When we speak God’s Word into our life and to others, we speak life into whatever challenges are faced.
What challenges are you facing? Is it an illness, an injury, a financial situation, a fractured marriage, a lost friendship, division within a family or any other immediate challenge. Are you declaring God’s promises while believing that He keeps His promises. For He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
Close attention must be made not to speak negative statements that can produce self-fulfilling prophecies. For it is destructive self-talk that creates an environment of defeat and hopelessness. Thus, we must speak words that build up and encourage, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Our declaration of faith will always precede answered prayer.
We must speak God-honoring words that build and encourage us to be all that God has called us to become? Satan is very aware of the power of words, so he speaks lies into the mind. Only by knowing God’s Word can we discern the enemy’s voice, for “there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). We must daily speak God’s life-generating Word because the enemy is always ready to fill the mind with doubts and negativity.
Our battles are truly in the mind. What we meditate on, whether good or bad, becomes what we believe, what we speak, and what we become. Therefore, it is critical that we speak God’s Word over our life and the lives of our loved ones, for His Word does not return to Him empty: “So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isiah 57:11).
Declarations of faith must become a daily lifestyle. That is why Jesus gave warning with this sobering scripture, “… I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For it is by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
God’s Word clearly reveals that the mouth can be a weapon of destruction or a blessing of encouragement, faith, and hope. That is why “the one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips [will come] to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3). Those who guard their mouth and tongue will prevent calamity (Proverbs 21:23).
Guarding what we hear, see, and speak, is critical to our spiritual health and the health of those with whom we interact. Thus, we are cautioned to guard those three gateways that determine our character, the direction of our thinking, and our life.
PRAYER: FATHER, thank you for your Word and its great truths and revelation. Help me to be careful of the words that I speak to myself and to others. Forgive me for any negative or self-defeating talk that can bring harm to me or to others. Daily remind me to encourage myself and others in Your Word. In Jesus’ holy and precious, name. Amen.
