Love Speaks

"For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:34-37

We're going through a study with our Missional Community Group called the "Gospel Fluency Handbook: A Practical Guide to Speaking the Truths of Jesus into the Everyday Stuff of Life" by Jeff Vanderstelt and Ben Connelly. It has served as a reminder to me that it's natural for all people to talk about what they love and what works well for them. I've never met a diehard sports fan unable to retell the story of their team’s championship victory or a fitness fanatic who has trouble talking about the diet and exercise plan that helped propel them into the best shape of their life. I've also been reminded that we grow to love what we talk about. Have you ever been in a circle of old friends or family who begin to recount memories of the good ol' days and suddenly you feel a deep affection for that special time in your life? I know I have. The same is true of our love for Jesus. For many of us, fear of others keeps us from talking about Jesus. When I'm faced with these fears (and I am), I like to remind myself that "perfect love casts out fear". I ask God to increase in me a love for Him and a love for others that overcomes all fear. I also pray for His Spirit of gentleness, wisdom and respect, which gives me the sense of when to speak and when to listen because "love does no harm".

Do you love Jesus? Is He at work in your heart and life? If you do and if He is, then you will talk about Him. And when we talk about Christ our hearts will be increasingly stirred with affection for Him!