Matthew 12:34, commentary and pictures

Christ confronted the Pharisees with this truth after they claimed His healing of a blind and mute demoniac was by Beelzebub, exposing that their evil charge proved an evil heart that could not speak good. The mouth speaks out of the abundance stored within, as fruit reveals the tree, the streams reveal the fountain, and the good or evil treasure of the heart brings forth good or evil. Speech is therefore the index and test of character and of the power ruling within, disclosing whether Christ or self and the world fill the thoughts and affections. Every idle and doubtful word is recorded and will testify in the judgment for justification or condemnation, because such words plant lasting evil in speaker and hearers. Only a heart purified, converted and sanctified by the Spirit can discipline the tongue to pure, kind and life-giving speech that praises God and wins souls.

Setting of the Rebuke

The rebuke was spoken to the Pharisees after Jesus healed a man possessed with a devil, blind and dumb, so that he both spoke and saw, and they charged that He cast out devils by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. It was a bold denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing that being evil they could not speak good things because speech comes out of the abundance of the heart. Either the tree is made good and its fruit good, or corrupt and its fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by its fruit, and a good man out of good treasure brings forth good things while an evil man out of evil treasure brings forth evil things. Every idle word men speak they shall give account of in the day of judgment.

In that charge they attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. Speaking against Jesus Himself without discerning His divine character can still be forgiven, for whatever the sin, if the soul repents and believes the guilt is washed away in the blood of Christ. But wilful rejection of the Spirit cuts off the fountain of blessing and the channel by which God works upon the heart and communicates with the soul, placing a person where repentance and faith cannot come, leaving no more that God can do for the soul. Careless, irreverent criticism of divine light fosters unbelief and can lead a person toward that rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit.

The rebuke exposed the Pharisees and Sadducees as evil men whose words revealed the malignity of their hearts, though the people looked to them as wise and good men. They were false teachers exerting a deadly, poisoning influence by deception, teaching human precepts, traditions and man-made commandments as doctrine and exalting them above the law of God, stirred by a power from beneath. Words are an index of character and will testify for justification or condemnation in the day of judgment, so speech must be employed with carefulness and modesty as a great talent that is a great power for good when used aright and just as great a power for evil when poisonous and abused, giving either life or death. That same old Pharisaic spirit of evil speaking from an evil heart can possess professed believers, blinding their eyes and confusing their judgment, producing prejudice, resistance to the work of God, and lightness and trifling talk that angels register in heaven, while those controlled by it do not know what manner of spirit they are of.

His words created tumult and brought reproach upon His brothers through their relation to Him. They were alarmed at His boldness and indignant at His denunciation. They induced Mary to join them in seeking to persuade or constrain Him to cease that manner of labor.

As soon as the heart is separated from God and is no longer under the subduing power of the Holy Spirit, the attributes of Satan are revealed in oppression of fellow men and in an influence contrary to truth and justice and righteousness. This is seen in the relation of workers to one another and in the desire of one institution to control all others. Men entrusted with weighty responsibilities who have no living connection with God do despite to the Holy Spirit and indulge the same evil spirit as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and as the Jews in the days of Christ. Though warned by God again and again they cast warnings aside and continue in the same course, revealing by words and conduct an inward condition of rejecting God and resisting the Holy Spirit.

Meaning of the Imagery

Being evil, men cannot speak good things, for speech comes out of the abundance of the heart. Either the tree is made good and its fruit good, or corrupt and its fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by its fruit. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things, and for every idle word men shall give account in the day of judgment. Everyday speech proves the state of the heart, so cheap, low, common talk in ordinary business life is plain evidence of an unconverted, polluted, hypocritical heart not identified with Christ. Such a heart is open to Satan and to licentiousness, adultery, lying, stealing, and every wickedness hidden under a cloak of godliness, even when smooth words and fair speeches are used in meetings, while a converted tongue and sanctified heart, born again and purified with sanctified affections, produce pure, elevating, holy talk with a good conscience, as a good tree provides good fruit, and true Christians are seen and known best at home by such speech.

The heart is the treasure house of good or evil, the root and fountain, and words are its fruit and streams. What is stored within is brought forth without, and the condition of the heart is made manifest by the words that are spoken. Outwardly good words cannot make an unchanged heart right, for cherished enmity and bitterness may be concealed behind a show of righteousness but will be expressed when opportunity comes, while a heart changed by grace produces truthful words and just actions. When the heart is right, words and conduct will be right, just as a clean fountain produces pure streams, and a changed heart bears fruit that honors God, whereas outward profession without true conversion has no sound foundation. When the heart is pure the thoughts and words are pure, but when the inner source is corrupt what comes from it is corrupt as well, so that profession of faith or defense of God's law cannot conceal a sinful character. What comes from a person reflects the condition of the heart, and the same inner condition is also reflected in the countenance and conduct, for a fretful, dissatisfied expression reveals an unhappy mind and inward deformity, while a pure and peaceful heart reflects God's image outwardly, and when heart and mind are unsanctified what comes from them is not pure, so the heart must be purified and the thoughts brought into obedience to Christ.

Words are an index of character and will testify for justification or condemnation, so speech must be employed with carefulness and modesty. Speech is a great talent and gift, a great power for good when used aright and just as great a power for evil when poisonous and abused, giving either life or death. The voice and tongue are gifts from God, and when used rightly they serve Him in love, devotion, and praise, while misused they express hatred and revenge and become a source of blessing or wrongdoing. Speech reveals the power ruling the heart: when Christ rules within, words display the beauty and purity of a character shaped by His will, and when a person follows evil, words echo its sentiments. Speech is therefore a powerful gift that must be guarded because it can serve either good or evil.

Speech used rightly expresses a heart shaped by the Spirit of God in kindness, comfort, and encouragement, while unkind or thoughtless words come from the heart and can create difficulties that otherwise would not exist. Christ's presence in the heart is shown by Christlike words that share God's wisdom and love, while harsh, impatient remarks reveal an unchristlike spirit, grieve the Holy Spirit, and can poison or stir others to rebellion, calling for meek, gentle speech and truth spoken in love following Christ's example. A heart shaped by studying the life of Christ and cherishing the soothing influence of the Spirit speaks pleasant, kind, thoughtful, tender, comforting, encouraging words that make the home a heaven on earth, keep contention and irritation out, act as peacemaking, let the peace of God rule, and prepare God's children for immortal life, while an evil heart speaks chafing, unkind, thoughtless, unadvised words that irritate husband and family, create needless difficulties, and mar the happiness of the home.

Words also shape character, for jealous or doubtful words spoken impulsively can influence a person's thoughts until belief follows what was said, and pride can keep it from being taken back. Careless, irreverent criticism of divine light fosters unbelief and can lead to rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit. Foolish, exaggerated, and passionate words arise from an inward source and, like seeds, produce good or bad fruit, shaping the speaker's character and influencing the character of others.

Words are the sure test of what principles characterize the life and what power controls the heart, and a person's own spirit and principles can be judged by the words that proceed from the lips. A person's speech and actions disclose the character and spiritual influence ruling within, for when holy things are not sought and cherished the tongue goes unrestrained and its words show the character of the heart's stored treasure, so that a life controlled by self and marked by harmful speech works against Christ, while an unselfish life testifies to Him. To represent the character of Christ in word and spirit and action is to be a Christian, for to be a Christian is to be Christlike, and the tongue must always be kept under the control of the Holy Spirit. Unstable, contradictory speech brings out the evil within, as a person speaks according to feeling without considering the effect of words, and this is evidence of character and influence, especially when people trust the speaker as a minister of Christ.

Speech Reveals the Heart

The mouth speaks what fills the heart and occupies the thoughts, so cherished wrong thoughts bear fruit in words and corrupt expressions reveal corrupt thoughts and evil desires within. A good heart brings out good words while an evil heart brings out evil words, for what is stored as treasure in the heart is communicated by what is said. Overcoming evil speech requires taking responsibility for the heart rather than blaming temptation, with fruit-bearing and self-control, since prayer alone is ineffective without restraint of the tongue.

A spiritual heart produces spiritual conversation, while words and actions disclose the thoughts within and make the inner life visible like a banner unfurled. Those united to Christ and one with Him do not enjoy listening to trifling, cheap talk and much less engage in it themselves. Talk centered on worldly things with silence about God's truth shows that the world rather than the religion of Jesus is in the heart, and a person whose highest affection is for Jesus loves to speak of Him. Failure to love to speak of Christ's love shows He is not in the heart, and ministers under conference sanction are to be judged not by credentials but by fruit, since preaching from the Bible in the pulpit while disregarding it in practice, being vain, light and trifling, being one in spirit with the unconsecrated, and speaking freely of common earthly things proves Jesus is not dwelling by faith and earthly things are placed before spiritual things as a denial of Christ far from grace.

If Christ abides within, conversation will be in heaven and holy because He is holy, and knowing Him and having Him abide makes a person like Him in word and attitude, while lacking Him denies Him by word and attitude with I know Him not. When mind and heart are full of God's love that fullness is revealed in conversation, for cherishing truths that refine, expand and ennoble religious experience feeds the inner life like eating and drinking, and what has entered the spiritual life is imparted in speech without difficulty. Great thoughts, noble aims, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, and desires and yearnings for holiness and piety bear fruit in words that reveal the character and treasure of the heart. What fills the heart comes out and cannot be kept back, so when truth and Christ's love abide within, words turn from criticizing God's servants and finding fault with His message to praise and thanksgiving, to mercy and loving-kindness and the matchless depths of the Saviour's love, to what God has prepared for those who love Him, flowing outward like a spring bringing life and gladness with power to encourage others in the Christian life and win souls. Even the simplest and weakest speak in this heavenly way when the channel of communication between God and the soul stays open, because then they are built up in the most holy faith.

In religious controversy self-seeking and misplaced indignation shape what people say and lead them to oppose truth, with nonessential matters treated as vital, showing what fills the heart.

God causes the heart to be manifested by the mouth, so words manifest the feelings of the heart and give sight of what is within, exposing which company one belongs to. Even when what is seen cruelly disappoints hopes and afflicts the soul, this disclosure is part of God sifting His people to keep the church pure and clean by purging it, to have a clean and holy people as judgment draws near.

Words in the Judgment

Every idle word must be accounted for on the day of judgment, and the words spoken will testify for or against the speaker to justification or condemnation. Speech reveals the treasure stored within, for a corrupt heart brings forth evil words and a good heart brings forth good words, and being evil no one can speak good things because speech comes out of the abundance of the heart. Words are an index of character and a great talent holding great power for good when used rightly and just as great power for evil when poisonous and abused, giving either life or death, so speech must be employed with carefulness and modesty. Words are recorded together with their effects and will be exposed in their true light, bringing shame at God's judgment, which calls parents to examine their own thoughts, motives, conversation and conduct and set an example of purity and virtue, especially when the talk of professed Christian youth dwells on romantic interests and exposes inner concerns that make others stumble or distrust efforts for salvation.

A single word of doubt or discouragement planted in another mind germinates and grows into a bitter harvest that human power cannot kill and only God can remove from the soul, so no such word can be afforded. Scattering darkness, accumulating rubbish and hoarding doubts is sin, requiring a heavenly atmosphere, a purified heart and lips touched as with a live coal from the altar so that speech is holy in all conversation. An accusing spirit is evil fruit showing that the heart is evil, and no one is fit to correct others until the heart is changed by Christ's grace, since counsel influences others for good only as far as one's own example and spirit support it. Words that accuse fellow believers and declare serving God vain expose unbelief within, bring discouragement to the church, and will themselves be judged.

Speech and conduct leave lasting impressions that either help others develop good principles or set harmful influences in motion, so care is required in what is said. When mind and heart are full of God's love that fullness appears in conversation, bearing fruit in words that reveal the heart's character, its treasure, its great thoughts, noble aims, clear understanding of truth, unselfish purposes and desires for holiness. Words of praise and thanksgiving that share God's mercy and Christ's love, tell precious chapters of personal experience, speak of His loving-kindness and the matchless depths of the Saviour's love, and encourage others in the Christian life prove a heart full of God's love. When Christ is thus revealed in speech there is power to win souls to Him, to glorify Christ and to bring unbelievers to conviction, and language must therefore be pure and kind and true as the outward expression of inward grace gained by thinking on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, while cherished jealousy, suspicion and selfishness appear instead in corrupt words.

Cleansed Heart, Holy Speech

The heart must be purified and renewed through obedience to the truth and true conversion. When the heart is cleansed and made right, the words that come from it and the conduct and actions of the life become pure and right. A changed heart bears fruit that honors God, as a clean fountain sends forth pure streams. Repenting of particular acts is not enough, for wrongdoing is the overflow of an unclean, unconverted heart, and the heart itself must be cleansed and changed. When sin is removed the soul is moved by love for Jesus and abhorrence of sin, with the mind enlightened to discern good from evil. Outward profession without conversion has no foundation, and profession or defense of the law cannot conceal a sinful character.

Disciplining the tongue requires disciplining the mind and guarding the heart against unbelief, doubt and evil. Christ's help enables control of speech, and His example under provocation shows it is possible, for when mocked He answered without anger and sang a psalm. Words that discourage, slander and backbite are to be refused, and speech is to be kind, patient and encouraging. Workers for God must store mind and memory with Scripture through diligent study, meeting questions and opposition with Thus saith the Lord and It is written rather than man's wisdom, because souls are too costly to imperil. When the Word received into the heart transforms character and life, the influence flowing out is the influence of the Word itself, a positive life-giving power.

When the heart is sanctified by the Spirit and self is hidden in Christ, the indwelling Spirit inspires true words. Then manner and speech under the Spirit declare truth faithfully, calmly, without impetuosity, in love as it is in Jesus, with Christ manifest in heart, countenance and words, fulfilling responsibility to represent His preciousness and value, and many more believe. Language must be pure and kind and true as the outward expression of inward grace, gained by thinking on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Servants must at all times speak with Christ's meekness and gentleness, refusing impatience when provoked, for harsh, impatient, peevish, hurried and tactless speech robs truth of power, dishonors God, grieves the Holy Spirit away and proves Satanic rather than divine attributes. Those connected with God's work must show by word and action that they are sons of God, members of the royal family, whose daily life is of more value than learning and high attainments.

The tongue can never be converted until the heart is converted. Gossip, evil surmising, selfish table talk, criticism of teachers, and cheap, low, common talk in ordinary business reveal an unconverted, polluted, hypocritical heart open to Satan, even when smooth fair speeches are used in meetings. A converted, sanctified heart, born again with sanctified affections, speaks from fullness of God's unmerited favor, telling what the Lord has done and His compassion, crying to Him and extolling Him. Such a heart produces pure, elevating, holy, discreet, sound, pleasant, kind, thoughtful, tender, comforting and encouraging words, with God giving tongue and utterance so others feel His presence. In the home this makes heaven on earth, keeping out contention and irritation, letting God's peace rule and preparing for immortal life, whereas chafing, unkind and thoughtless words irritate family, create needless difficulties and mar happiness.

Unless the root is holy, speech is unsound and offers no sweet fragrance to God, and words expressing infidelity dishonor Him. Strong, hard, unbecoming, unchristian language toward brethren proves the inner fountain is not cleansed and the speaker is not under the Spirit nor meek and lowly. Such a one needs reformation to become a new man, with hereditary and cultivated tendencies overcome and Jesus formed within, by falling upon the Rock and being broken. Only then will the Holy Spirit accompany the words, making the life a living epistle known and read of all men.

Daily Life and Prophecy

When young men and women make the opposite sex, love and marriage the main subject of conversation, their speech shows where their minds mostly dwell and where their affections are directed. Dwelling on such subjects harms the spiritual life, while turning attention from self to serving and helping others brings rest and happiness. Such talk reflects corrupt traits and desires controlling the heart, and habits indulged in this direction can gain such power that deceit is learned in order to pursue desires. It can make others stumble or distrust efforts to lead them to salvation, and words thus spoken are recorded and will bring shame at God's judgment, so parents must examine their own thoughts, motives, conversation and conduct and set an example of purity and virtue for their children.

A minister whose heart and thoughts are absorbed in worldly business and the pursuit of money will show that preoccupation in conversation, even if he preaches sound Bible doctrines. Because worldly business and desire for gain dominated the father's mind, business was what he talked about, and his example drew his children away from spiritual things. The Spirit's influence in heart and conscience should shape conduct at home and with others, and daily conduct and words must agree with the truth taught.

When the mind is occupied with worldly business the tongue will disclose it, for the mouth speaks what fills the heart. On the Sabbath, speaking about worldly matters and common topics of the day such as cattle, crops, losses and gains, stock and provisions, is itself Sabbath-breaking, even when a person rests from physical labor. Such conversation violates the sacredness of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment and shows an unconsecrated heart not focused on sacred things.

Impure suggestions in conversation come from an impure heart, impure thoughts, desires and passions. Even a covert impure suggestion can stain the soul. Such speech is reason to reject the speaker's influence, to flee such company, and to avoid those whose talk turns toward impurity, since their words disclose the corruption within.

The tenor of conversation shows its inner treasure, and foolish witticisms, cheap common talk, flattery and foolish jokes reveal a corrupt influence and a heart whose treasure is evil. Such speech hinders spiritual growth and can draw both speakers and hearers toward ruin, serving Satan's work by luring hearers. These words and their effects are recorded and will be seen in their true light and exposed at the final judgment.

Foolish, frivolous, improper, careless, idle, opposing, harmful, unkind and thoughtless talk, speaking contrary to truth and speaking evil of others, with suspicion, distrust, jealousy, envy, pride, vanity, evil temper, covetousness, love of self, dress and appetite, comes from an inward spiritual condition and an unrenewed heart. It shows lack of watchfulness and confesses that Christ is not within, grieves the Holy Spirit, and weakens faith, piety, growth and resistance to Satan so as to lead to being overcome. Cherished jealousy, suspicion and selfishness appear in corrupt words, while a heart refined by grace and love for Christ finds expression in words of praise and gratitude that encourage Christians, glorify Christ and convict unbelievers. Overcoming comes by surrender to God leading to reliance on His promises, earnest prayer, and determined effort to govern words and actions.

Ministers under conference sanction are to be judged not by credentials but by fruit. Preaching from the Bible in the pulpit while disregarding it in practice, being vain, light and trifling, one in spirit with the unconsecrated, and speaking freely about common earthly things proves Jesus is not dwelling in the heart by faith and earthly things are placed before spiritual things. Such disorderly walk and unholy conversation is a denial of Christ and shows the speaker far from growing in grace and knowledge. So too the words spoken at a meeting exposed hearts stained by sin and a spirit unlike Christ's. Everyday cheap, low, common talk in ordinary business life is plain evidence of an unconverted, polluted, hypocritical heart not identified with Christ, open to Satan and to every wickedness hidden under godliness even when smooth words and fair speeches are used in meetings, whereas a converted tongue and sanctified heart produce pure, elevating, holy talk, and true Christians are seen and known best at home.

What comes outwardly from a person reveals what is within, applied even to tobacco use whose visible effects are a sign of inner defilement. When Mary repeatedly dwells on her husband's wrongs, bringing them naturally into conversation, her words disclose the subject occupying her mind. Persistent talk about wrongs can spread private troubles and reflects an inward focus on them.

What is held within finds its way to the lips, and a heart without guile produces speech without guile, as seen in looking to Christ who had no sin or guile. When Christ does not abide in parents' hearts, evil and selfishness shape their words and conduct, and children absorb that influence, so parents' conversation should leave a good influence on their children.

Speech reveals the speaker's real nature, and in prophecy the two-horned beast speaking like a dragon represents the United States revealing a persecuting nature through its laws and decrees, developing into a persecuting power.