Matthew 12:33-37–Words Reveal Character

Menander the Greek dramatist, who lived 300 years before Jesus, wrote: “A man’s character can be known from his words.”

The American author and humorist, Mark Twain, once quipped, “A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.”

And evangelical author, Chuck Swindoll, cautioned, “We need to think of our tongue as a messenger that runs errands for our heart. Our words reveal our character.”

These quotes speak to the importance of our words as they reveal our thoughts, the state of our heart, and indeed expose our true self.

In this same vein, Jesus expressed this important Truth in a scathing rebuke to the Pharisees.

33″Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The context of this reprimand follows the Pharisees’ ridiculous charge that Jesus was performing miracles and casting out demons by the power of “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Their words revealed their hardened heart, warped mind, and corrupt character. Their utter unbelief was unmasked by their words.

Words have the power to heal or to hurt. To encourage or discourage. To clarify or confuse. To enlighten or obscure. To strengthen or to weaken. To honor or degrade. To gladden or to grieve. To build up or tear down. And to glorify God or dishonor His name.

Our words, like those of the Pharisees, broadcast the condition of our heart. They are a window to the soul. And provide a glimpse of the thoughts we are thinking. While a person may be on guard to carefully craft his words in public, it is in those unguarded moments that we display our true nature in the words that spill out of our mouth.

Bible expositor William Barclay offered this commentary.

“That which is in the heart can come to the surface only through the lips; a man can produce through his lips only what he has in his heart. There is nothing so revealing as words. We do not need to talk to a man long before we discover whether he has a mind that is wholesome or a mind that is dirty; we do not need to listen to him long before we discover whether he has a mind that is kind or a mind that is cruel; we do not need to listen for long to a man who is preaching or teaching or lecturing to find out whether his mind is clear or whether it is muddled. We are continually revealing what we are by what we say.”

These insights thus highlight the warning of carelessly or rashly uttering idle words. That is words that are worthless. Barren. Unfruitful. Unproductive. And unprofitable.

Jesus plainly says that we will give account of the words we speak. This should give us all pause to be careful how we talk to family, friends, and brethren. It is also a warning to all who preach and teach God’s Word. The principle can be further applied to the words we write, text, email, or post on social media. Before we click send or post, we ought to ask, “Is this really helpful or is it hurtful?” “Will these words produce peace or stir up trouble?” “Are these words kind or are they cruel?”

Of course, at the heart of our words is our heart. Jesus said so. To improve what comes out our mouth, we must improve what goes into our mind. What we read. What we watch. What we listen to. What we put into our heart. Paul’s exhortation to think on things that are true, just, honorable, pure, lovely, excellent, virtuous, and praiseworthy will not only improve our thoughts, but will result in more gracious speech.

Author Frank Jackson was right when he warned, “Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman