heart attitude – Almost An Author

Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks, Part 2

Have you ever hit “send” for an email, or “publish” for a blog post, only to realize within a split second that you shouldn’t have?

Me too, more times than I can count.

I think we all know…I mean, know…when what we’re about to write is tainted with wrong attitude or judgment. We feel emotions rise up, and the thoughts we’re having aren’t quite “bless you, my friends.”

I believe that as Christian writers, we have a responsibility to set an example with everything we write; to lead the way with truth written in love. Since we know that out of the heart the mouth speaks – our true feelings will show through in our writing – we need to check our hearts before we push the button to release our words. (Read Part 1 here)

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before hitting “send” or “publish”.

Is my heart more passionate about my belief than compassionate for my readers?

Have I put myself in the other person’s shoes and read from their perspective? Would I feel respected or judged…valued or put down?

Do my words reflect a right or a righteous attitude in my heart?

Am I trying to impart truth in love, or trying to prove I’m right? Am I writing to point others to Jesus, or to boost support for my opinion?

Should someone else read this before I send it – is this topic too emotional for me?

For me, the final step before I hit send on a difficult topic is to have someone else read what I wrote – someone I trust to be brutally honest with me. Maybe more than one someone if it’s controversial.

Do I think I am an expert on the topic – do I have pride in my heart?

Is my writing humble and open to being imperfect…or even wrong? Did I remember that we all understand and see only in part?

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12; NIV)

And finally…

Have I prayed for God’s words on this topic – does He want this written?

Am I writing His message, or just what *I* feel is important? Will what I have written stir up strife?

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:9, NIV)

As Christian writers, God has a mission and message for each one of us. Let’s all resolve to continually check our hearts as we share our words. [bctt tweet=”Remember that out of the heart the mouth speaks, and we want our hearts to speak love.”]

Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks, Part 1

I recently read a headline that jumped off the page to me: “Can a GOP So Divided by Anger Actually Govern in Washington?” What a sobering question! Many elected officials come to Washington full of ideas on how to fight for their causes. But too often, when “fighting for” a cause becomes “fighting against” anyone who doesn’t believe like they do, the noble purpose of the cause is lost in a mountain of anger, judgment, and strife. Nobody wins.

The same thing is true for the Church, Jesus’s Bride. Whether sharing about biblical principles, gifts of the Spirit, or the Bible as it relates to cultural events, our words “for” Jesus and truth can quickly become a judgment “against” those who don’t agree with us. Our life-giving message can be lost because of an emotional, angry or finger-pointing delivery at those who we feel are wrong.

In both cases, out of the heart the mouth speaks.

The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart. (Luke 6:45, AMP)

We can become prideful, self-righteous, or offended when our opinion is not accepted. Every impure, fleshy heart attitude shows up in the tone of our words. Sometimes our need to be right trumps the original goal of encouraging others toward what we believe…and as Christians, toward truth. We forget that we are all equal at the end of the day – we all can be equally wrong or equally right at any given moment depending on what we’ve learned and experienced to date. And, that our own opinions are just that, and subject to change as we learn more.

To clarify, it’s OK to expose lies, wrong doctrine, and sinful behavior; but it’s never OK to write an angry message against someone who believes differently; or to judge their motives. Out of the heart the mouth speaks, so we must first check our own motives.

When exposing lies or sin, our role is to respectfully and lovingly write truth as we understand it so the Holy Spirit can use our words to convict the reader. If, instead, we judge the wrong-doer or criticize them, the enemy can quickly turn our words into condemnation.

How can we self-check our writing to see if it is ready for public consumption? Stay tuned for Part 2…

[bctt tweet=”Out of the heart the mouth speaks, so we must first check our own motives.”]