Transforming Hearts: The Power of Our Words
Summary
When the King comes, everything changes—including the way we speak. Gathering as God’s people, we remember the wondrous works He has done and celebrate the new life we have in Christ. The heart of the matter is this: Jesus, our King, has not only given us a new identity but also a new heart, and from that heart flows the fruit of our lives—especially the words we speak. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope; it is a present reality that transforms us from the inside out.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:33-37 remind us that our speech is a direct reflection of our hearts. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, so too are we known by the words that come from our mouths. Under the pressures of life, what is truly inside us is revealed. Sometimes, by God’s grace, what comes out is patience, kindness, and encouragement. Other times, it may be words that wound or tear down. The good news is that Jesus doesn’t call us to simply try harder to speak better; He offers us a new heart, empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that our words can bear kingdom fruit.
It is tempting to think that behavior modification or self-discipline alone can change us, but Jesus teaches that the root must be changed for the fruit to be different. Only God can transform a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. When we are rooted in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—begins to flow from us, including in our speech. Our words become a window into the work God is doing within us.
Yet, Jesus also warns that every careless or worthless word will be brought into account on the day of judgment. Our words are not inconsequential; they are evidence of the state of our hearts. For those in Christ, there is forgiveness and the power to change. For those who have not yet come to Him, the invitation is open: repent, believe, and receive a new heart. Ultimately, our words matter because they reveal whether we belong to the King and His kingdom. Let us daily surrender our speech to Christ, seeking not just to filter our words, but to let Him transform our hearts so that our lives and lips bring Him glory.
Key Takeaways
- The Fruit Reveals the Root
What comes out of our mouths under pressure is a true indicator of what is in our hearts. Just as a tree cannot produce good fruit unless its root is healthy, so our words cannot be consistently good unless our hearts have been transformed by Christ. This challenges us to look beyond surface-level behavior and ask God to do the deep work of heart change, knowing that only He can produce lasting fruit in us. [44:13]
- Behavior Modification Is Not Enough
Trying to “talk better” or simply control our tongues through willpower is ultimately futile if our hearts remain unchanged. The gospel is not about stapling good fruit onto a bad tree; it is about being made new from the inside out. True transformation comes as we depend on the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to shape our desires, thoughts, and words. [54:58]
- The Tongue Is the Heart’s Tattletale
Our speech is the quickest and most reliable indicator of our spiritual health. The tongue, though small, has immense power to build up or destroy, and it reveals the true state of our hearts. When our words are consistently harsh, deceitful, or unloving, it is a call to examine what is going on within and to seek God’s renewing grace. [01:01:00]
- Every Word Matters—Eternally
Jesus teaches that we will give an account for every careless or worthless word we speak. Our words are not just fleeting sounds; they are spiritual fruit that will be weighed in eternity. This sobering truth should lead us to daily repentance, humility, and a greater dependence on Christ, who alone can cover our failures and empower us to speak life. [01:10:00]
- The Gospel Offers Both Forgiveness and Power
For those who have failed with their words—and that is all of us—there is hope in Christ. He bore the judgment for our sinful speech and offers forgiveness to all who repent and believe. More than that, He gives us His Spirit to empower us to speak words that reflect His kingdom, bringing encouragement, truth, and grace to those around us. [01:18:00]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Call to Worship and Opening Song
[03:30] - Congregational Singing: “Come Praise and Glorify”
[08:15] - Testimony: Made Alive in Christ
[12:00] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Help
[14:00] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:33-37
[18:00] - Series Context: The King and His Kingdom
[21:30] - The Ketchup Packet Illustration
[26:00] - The Heart Under Pressure
[32:00] - A Kingdom Heart Bears Identifiable Fruit
[44:13] - Only God Can Change the Heart
[54:58] - The Fruit of the Spirit and Our Words
[01:01:00] - The Tongue as the Heart’s Indicator
[01:10:00] - Judgment and the Weight of Our Words
[01:18:00] - The Gospel’s Power to Transform
[01:22:00] - Closing Prayer and Response
[01:25:24] - Announcements and Farewell to Dale
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "When the King Comes, Everything Changes—Including Our Words"
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 12:33-37
“Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37, what is the relationship between a tree and its fruit? What does this analogy teach us about our words?
2. In verse 34, Jesus says, “For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” What does this reveal about the source of our words?
3. What warning does Jesus give about “every careless word” in verses 36-37? What does He say will happen with our words on the day of judgment?
4. The sermon mentioned that the tongue is like a “check engine light” for our hearts. What does this illustration mean? ([54:58])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus focus on the heart as the root of our words, rather than just telling us to “talk better”? What does this say about the kind of change He wants for us? ([44:13])
2. The sermon said, “The gospel is not about stapling good fruit onto a bad tree; it is about being made new from the inside out.” What does this mean for someone who is trying to change their speech by willpower alone? ([54:58])
3. How does the idea that “our words are evidence of the state of our hearts” challenge the way we think about everyday conversations, jokes, or even online comments? ([01:01:00])
4. Jesus says we will give an account for every careless word. How should this affect the way we view the seriousness of our speech? ([01:10:00])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a recent time when you were under pressure and something came out of your mouth that surprised you—good or bad. What did that moment reveal about what’s going on in your heart? ([26:00])
2. The sermon said, “Trying to ‘talk better’ or simply control our tongues through willpower is ultimately futile if our hearts remain unchanged.” Are there areas where you’ve tried to “staple good fruit” onto your life? What would it look like to ask God for real heart change instead? ([54:58])
3. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Which of these is most lacking in your speech right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to let the Holy Spirit grow that fruit in your words? ([54:58])
4. The tongue is described as the “heart’s tattletale.” If someone only heard your words this past week—at home, work, or online—what would they say about your heart? Is there anything you need to confess or make right? ([01:01:00])
5. Jesus offers both forgiveness and power to change. Is there a specific conversation or relationship where you need to ask for forgiveness or speak words of encouragement instead of criticism? What’s holding you back? ([01:18:00])
6. The sermon challenged us to surrender our speech to Christ daily. What would it look like for you to start each day with a prayer about your words? Would you be willing to try this for a week? ([01:10:00])
7. For those who have not yet come to Christ, the invitation is open: repent, believe, and receive a new heart. If you’re not sure you’ve experienced this heart change, what questions or doubts do you have? Who could you talk to about taking the next step? ([01:18:00])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to reveal what’s in your heart, to forgive where your words have fallen short, and to fill you with His Spirit so that your speech would bring Him glory and encourage others.
Devotional
Day 1: The Heart Determines the Fruit
A heart changed by Jesus produces fruit that reflects His character, not by mere behavior modification but by the transforming work of the Spirit. Just as a tree cannot bear good fruit unless its root is good, so our words and actions flow from the condition of our hearts. If we desire to see different fruit in our lives, we must look to Christ for a new heart and depend on the Spirit to produce kingdom fruit in us. No amount of self-effort or external change can substitute for the inner transformation that only God can bring. [44:13]
Matthew 12:33-34 (CSB)
"Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."
Reflection: If someone only had your words and actions to go by, what would they say about the condition of your heart? What is one area where you need to ask God for a new heart rather than just trying harder to change your behavior?
Day 2: The Power of the Tongue
Our tongues are powerful and reveal what is truly in our hearts, often more quickly than any other part of our lives. The words we speak—whether in moments of stress, conflict, or disappointment—are like the overflow of a glass that has been bumped, spilling out whatever is inside. The Bible warns us that the tongue can be a source of great harm or great blessing, and it is often the first indicator of the state of our hearts. We are called to let the Spirit transform our speech so that our words build up, encourage, and reflect the love of Christ. [54:58]
James 3:5-6 (CSB)
"So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members; it stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words did not reflect Christ. What was going on in your heart at that moment, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform that area?
Day 3: We Will Be Judged by Our Words
Every word we speak, even those we consider careless or insignificant, will be brought into account before God. Our speech is not just a matter of slips or mistakes, but a reflection of the spiritual reality within us. On the day of judgment, our words will either acquit us or condemn us, not because we are saved by our speech, but because our words reveal the true state of our hearts. For those in Christ, His blood covers every sinful word, and we are empowered to speak words that bear kingdom fruit. [01:10:00]
Matthew 12:36-37 (CSB)
"I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Reflection: What is one habitual way of speaking—perhaps sarcasm, gossip, or negativity—that you need to surrender to Christ today, knowing you will give an account for every word?
Day 4: Only God Can Change the Heart
True transformation does not come from trying harder or external fixes, but from the new heart that God gives through His Spirit. As promised in Scripture, God removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh, enabling us to follow Him and bear fruit that lasts. When we find ourselves unable to change, we are invited to turn to Jesus, repent, and believe in the gospel, trusting that only He can make us new and empower us to live for Him. [48:30]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (CSB)
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances."
Reflection: Where have you been relying on your own strength to change? What would it look like to ask God for a new heart and trust Him to do the transforming work?
Day 5: Repentance and Daily Surrender
When our words fall short, we are not left without hope. We can run to Jesus, whose every word was perfect, and who offers forgiveness and transformation for sinners. Daily repentance and surrender of our speech to the Lordship of Christ is the path to growth. As we spend time in God’s Word and rely on the Spirit, we are changed more and more into the likeness of Christ, and our words begin to reflect His love, truth, and grace to those around us. [01:15:00]
Psalm 19:14 (CSB)
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can surrender your speech to Christ today—perhaps by pausing to pray before speaking, or by intentionally encouraging someone with your words?
Quotes
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