Have you ever started your car or been driving down the road, when a mysterious indicator light shows up on the dashboard? You know the kind… an indicator that you’ve never seen before and have no idea what it means…

Well, if you’re anything like me, you have limited knowledge of car mechanics. I can put new windshield wipers on my car, change the air filter, and change the tires. That’s about it! And I’m not very good at any of those tasks. So an indicator light is a mystery that I’ve got to look up in the manual that came with my car. And, with my limited knowledge of car mechanics, the manual only gives me an indication of where to look for a solution (or whom to ask for help).

The words that we speak are a lot like the indicator lights in our cars. The Bible tells us that the words that come out of our mouths are an overflow of the abundance of our hearts.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34b (NKJV)

In Matthew 12:22-37, we read a testimony of how Jesus delivered a man who was possessed by a demon and taught the Pharisees and His disciples a valuable lesson. 

In this passage of scripture, not only does Jesus warn against duplicity, but He also warns about the fruit of our lips. In fact, we learn from Matthew 12:22-37 that all sin is forgivable by our gracious and merciful God except for one. Blasphemy against the Spirit is the only unforgivable sin. In this same account, we are reminded that trees are known by their fruit, and that the fruit of our lips (our words) is the product of the overflow of our hearts. This passage of scripture also tells us that we are held accountable for the words that we speak. In some translations, Matthew 12:37 is translated to say that we will either be acquitted or condemned by our words. 

Reading Matthew 12:22-37 reminds me of a few verses in Proverbs that talk about how death and life are in the power of the tongue and the importance of guarding our mouths and being careful of the words that we speak (Proverbs 18:20-21; Proverbs 21:23). Our words reflect what is in our hearts, and thinking the thought is the same as speaking the words.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV)

In Ephesians 4:29-30, we read that unwholesome talk grieves the Holy Spirit. In reflecting on this passage of scripture and Matthew 12:22-37, I began to wonder if blaspheming the Holy Spirit was the same as grieving the Holy Spirit. While they are NOT the same thing, I wonder if grieving the Holy Spirit can become blasphemy over time. While blasphemy is speaking unjustly of Jesus, His doctrine, His ways, and His followers, we can grieve the Holy Spirit when we don’t trust the truth of His words (God’s Word and character). When we don’t trust the Word of God, we grieve the Holy Spirit. 

The words and thoughts that bubble up inside of us (sometimes without warning) are kind of like the indicator light on the dashboard of a car. They are a signal, a gut check, an opportunity to evaluate what is going on inside of our soul (our mind, will, and emotions). Are we trusting God or relying on ourselves? Are we seeing situations around us through a Heavenly perspective or filtering these situations through our life experiences? After all…

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. Matthew 12:35 (NIV)

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

If you find that, like me, an indicator light has come on inside of your soul, and there are some words or thought patterns that you need to capture and insist that they bow in obedience to God (2 Corinthians 10:5), I recommend picking up the following book and taking on a word fast. 

The Forty-Day Word Fast: A Spiritual Journey to Eliminate Toxic Words From Your Life by Tim Cameron

I was first introduced to this book by a co-worker back in 2020 and have gone through it more than once since.

Indicator lights are not permanent, but an opportunity to pause, recollect, and reflect on what’s happening under the hood of our hearts. They are an indication of a deeper need and an opportunity to return to the manual (and Creator of the manual) for guidance in moving forward.

We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (TPT)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on Godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. Romans 12:2 (AMP)