12:35Matthew 12:35

Jesus spoke these words as a plain warning after He healed a possessed man who was blind and dumb and the Pharisees charged that He cast out devils through the prince of devils.DA 321.3 The treasure is the moral store inside the heart, and the words and deeds a person brings forth flow from whether that store is good or evil.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+2 Words together with actions reveal what fills and governs the heart, and every idle and careless word will be heard, recorded and answered for in the day of judgment, justifying or condemning the speaker.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+4 There is no middle ground, for the heart is either given to God to be purified and sanctified or left exposed to Satan, and outward goodness without a cleansed inner source is not true conversion.Lt 143, 1897, par. 5–6+4 The heart becomes good by receiving Christ as an abiding presence with sanctifying truth practiced, by being filled with God's Word through searching, storing, contemplating, prayer and watchfulness, and by guarding the tongue under the Holy Spirit, so that it brings forth good things to cheer and bless others.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+4

Jesus spoke this verse as part of a plain warning given immediately after He for a second time healed a possessed man who was both blind and dumb, when the Pharisees charged that He cast out devils through the prince of devils.DA 321.3 The treasure is the moral store kept inside the heart, and what a person brings forth in words and deeds flows directly from whether that store is good or evil.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+4 A good heart brings forth good things while an evil heart brings forth evil things, so the mouth and conduct testify to what is within and the inner condition is known by its fruit, including what a person says.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+3 In the judgment this fruit helps show whether a person has followed God’s truth or rejected it.Lt 29, 1897, par. 19–22

There is no middle ground to occupy, for the heart is either given to God to be purified and refined and sanctified or left exposed to Satan’s temptations and made the sport of them.Lt 143, 1897, par. 5–6+1 Those who do not yield to Bible truth but wrap themselves in a spurious sanctification to accord with false theories detract from faith and bring forth evil.Ms 186, 1897, par. 45–49 God deals not so much with outward actions as with the heart that prompts them, so the unseen inner life is judged by its outward and manifest developments.4MR 440.1+1 Character is determined by what a person loves best and labors for most zealously, and those who claim to believe the truth must therefore make it fragrant and appealing by a life like Him who is truth.4MR 440.1+1

Attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan cuts off the fountain of blessing and the channel by which God works upon the heart.DA 321.3 Speaking against Jesus Himself without discerning His divine character can be forgiven, because through the Holy Spirit the soul can still be brought to see its error and repent.DA 321.3 Whatever the sin, if the soul repents and believes the guilt is washed away in the blood of Christ, but wilfully rejecting the Spirit and declaring it to be from Satan places the soul where repentance and faith cannot come.DA 321.3 When the Spirit is finally rejected there is no more that God can do for the soul.DA 321.3

Words together with actions reveal what fills and governs the heart, whether Christ or the enemy, for the mouth and conduct testify to what is within and the inner condition is known by its fruit in what a person says and does.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+4 Good words come from a good inner store and evil words from an evil one, so useless, meaningless speech and words that deny Christ come from an evil treasure while good words testify to Christ abiding within, and a genuine confession of faith must be whole-hearted.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 16–19+2 Vulgar, poorly chosen speech shows an unpurified heart that needs cleansing and sanctification through obedience to the truth, and careless, idle, irreverent, uncharitable, false and deceptive words matter because people must answer for every idle word in the judgment and will be justified or condemned by them.ST Mar 8, 1883+4 Speech discloses character and also reinforces what is within, so the heart's contents are reflected in and strengthened by utterance.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+1

A person's character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of the conversation, for whether one talks much or little the words express the character of the thoughts.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1 Speech is a test by which one may judge one's own spirit and principles and the power governing the heart, and the tongue must therefore be controlled by the Holy Spirit.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1 Pride, vanity, self-love, envy, or preoccupation with worldly things produce speech focused on those things, while a heart centered on Christ produces good words, and sound, truthful words have the right ring in them.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1 Thoughts produce words and spoken words in turn strengthen the feelings that prompted them and influence mind, soul, body, will and character, so jesting, joking, reckless and random speech dishonors Christ and shows the heart needs cleansing from defilement.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1

When the heart is right, words and actions are right, for the heart is the root and words and acts are its fruit.1T 158.1+2 A cleansed inner source produces pure streams and good fruit to God's glory in truth and just principles, while a heart that cherishes bitterness produces bitter fruit, and idle, worldly conversation shows lack of true conversion and its saving power.1T 158.1+2 Outward goodness without a changed heart is not true conversion, and outward claims or appearances of righteousness and profession of religion or a supposed hope cannot make an unchanged heart right, because its underlying character becomes evident in what a person says and does.1T 158.1+2 Good resolutions alone are not enough if they are not carried out, and when appetite and passions control reason the mind is debased and speech becomes vulgar, showing the heart is unsanctified and needs purification and transformation of life.2T 95.1+1 True conversion therefore requires a thorough change within, not merely outward reform.2T 95.1+1

As soon as the heart is not under the subduing power of the Holy Spirit, the evil treasure brings forth the attributes of Satan in oppressing fellow men with an influence contrary to truth and justice and righteousness.Lt 57, 1895, par. 8+2 This evil fruit appears among men entrusted with weighty responsibilities who have no living connection with God, both in the relation of workers to one another and in the desire of one institution to control all others.Lt 57, 1895, par. 8+1 It does despite to the Holy Spirit in the very same spirit as Korah, Dathan and Abiram and as the Jews in the days of Christ, even after warnings from God have come again and again.Lt 57, 1895, par. 8+1

What people treat as important in religious controversy can reflect the heart's treasure, for disputes often arise when self seeks supremacy over matters that are not vital but are made to seem important because people have made them so.SPBC 139.3–4+1

A heart devoted to truth brings forth truth, while an evil heart brings forth falsehood, railings, bitter accusings, charges and thrusts at opponents.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+1 An unregenerate heart cherishes envy, evil suspicions, pride and a censorious spirit, and these produce works like those of the wicked one, which calling zeal for truth does not change but needs regeneration and must be put away.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+1 A heart filled with God's Word by searching the Scriptures and by diligent study storing it in memory brings forth good things, and when the Word is received into the heart it transforms character and life and becomes a well within, so that the influence flowing out is the influence of the Word itself, a positive life-giving power.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10 Christ's workers must never answer with man's wisdom but with plain Bible teaching, with Thus saith the Lord and It is written, because souls cost too much to imperil by following men's words and no decision in matters of eternal interest is safe unless opened from the Scriptures as from Him who is the Truth, and a person's conduct and influence reveal the measure of love for the cause of truth, so those engaged in sacred work should speak and act with care and integrity.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+1

Idle and careless words are weighty because every idle word must be answered for in the day of judgment, and a person's own words will testify for or against the speaker.ST Mar 8, 1883+4 Speech discloses character, for what fills the heart comes out in words, so good comes from a good inner store and evil from an evil one, and careless, irreverent, uncharitable, false and deceptive words expose and reinforce the evil within.ST Mar 8, 1883+2 Vulgar and poorly chosen speech shows a heart not yet purified, while pride, vanity, self-love, envy and preoccupation with worldly things produce speech centered on those things, whereas a heart centered on Christ produces good words.2T 95.2+1 Words of doubt and discouragement are especially to be guarded, for they can take root in others and produce a bitter result.Ms 66, 1895, par. 4–5

By words people will be justified or condemned, and this fruit helps show in the judgment whether they have followed God's truth or rejected it.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+2 Words together with actions form character, therefore speech is to be clean, pure, simple and elevated, cheerful and happy without gloom yet sober and free from silliness, with no low, cheap, degrading nonsense that savors of vice and revelry and no copying of another's bad habits, because such evil, silly talk helps no one, injures spirituality and is forbidden by God.Ms 174, 1897, par. 37–39 Every word and deed, even what is spoken in private, is heard, seen and recorded in heaven, for Jesus as present Witness reads the heart, mind and thoughts of every person, hears every word, sees every action and records each word and deed.Ms 174, 1897, par. 37–39 Those who depend on Him for food, life and health yet dishonor and insult Him to His face will be judged, so all should keep the Lord ever before them.Ms 174, 1897, par. 37–39

Writing as well as speech is registered in the books in heaven with its results, so writing perverted to extravagance, jesting, ridicule of serious subjects and idle mischief will bring shame in the day of judgment.ST Nov 20, 1884 These records include words and their effects and influence, which will be revealed and exposed at the final judgment.STB 845.2+2 Cheap, common talk, flattery, foolish jokes and witticisms spoken to create a laugh come from an evil treasure and are Satan's merchandise, and all who indulge in them are trading in his goods.CT 340.2+4 Such speech serves Satan by making alluring, deceptive impressions that impress and mislead hearers and lead speakers and hearers toward ruin down the broad road and wide gate, like the impression made on Herod when the daughter of Herodias danced before him.CT 340.2+4

At the last great day these things will appear in their true light before the guilty, when all will discern in them the alluring, deceptive workings of the devil to lead souls to ruin.CT 340.2+2 Speech is therefore a talent and a valuable gift requiring carefulness and modesty in its use, as an index of character that will testify for or against the speaker.Ms 73, 1897, par. 14–16+1 A good heart stored with good things brings forth good speech that is a great power for good and a savor of life unto life, while an evil heart brings forth evil and poisonous speech that reveals inward malignity and is a great power for evil and a savor of death unto death.Ms 73, 1897, par. 14–16

The good treasure of the heart is Christ as an abiding presence in the soul with sanctifying truth practiced, a treasure-house of wisdom to all who practice the truth and a living spring welling up to everlasting life that brings forth good things in pure, uplifting, wholesome and guarded speech.Ms 17, 1895, par. 4–5+3 Out of the good treasure of a heart where truth is a living principle proceed good things, for no one can impart what he does not have, and grace must be received from God to be imparted to others.Lt 96, 1898, par. 24–26 A heart connected with Christ is cleansed and established in meekness, patience, longsuffering, kindness, love and purity, never violating purity in action, language or thought, and it keeps the saving savor of the salt especially in speaking good words to the young.Lt 96, 1898, par. 24–26 When the mind and soul receive the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, the heart's treasure becomes filled with the precious things of God which can then be brought forth in life, while without Christ abiding within the heart brings forth cheap talk, exaggerated mischief-making statements, perverse common things, slang, frivolity, jesting and joking that hinder spiritual growth and grieve the angels.Ms 17, 1895, par. 4–5+3 As a branch united to Christ bears good fruit, so a renewed heart filled by Christ and the Holy Spirit brings forth the fruits of the Spirit in pure and sacred words and works that give God glory and reflect His light.STBk 47.1–48.1+1

The heart becomes good by welcoming Jesus in, so that it becomes a storehouse from which timely, good words can be drawn to encourage and impress others.Lt 30, 1897, par. 6 Where the heart is purified and refined and made fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the tongue is sacrificed to the glory of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and words prove what the Holy Spirit has done in the heart.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+2 Those who have the Holy Spirit speak words of sound sense and bring forth pure, sacred things after Christ's example, while a heart made good brings forth good, sound, sensible speech and surrounds the soul with a fragrant atmosphere.GW 288.1+1 Speech is a test by which people can judge their own spirit and principles, since words index the state of the heart and express the character of the thoughts whether a person talks much or little.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1

A heart filled with God's Word by searching the Scriptures and by diligent study storing it in memory brings forth good things, and when the Word is received into the heart it transforms character and life and becomes a well within, so that the influence flowing from the believer is the influence of the Word itself as a positive life-giving power.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10 When the Word of Christ is studied and rules in the heart, it supplies good things to bring forth and prepares a person to stand when assailed, for the Word dwelling richly within provides the armor of God.Ms 38, 1897, par. 10 When the heart is filled with God's precious promises it can bring forth words that comfort and strengthen others, with lips trained to use fitting, sound words that benefit those around, and keeping those promises in the heart enables such comforting, strengthening speech.Lt 85, 1897, par. 6+1 When the love of God is enjoyed in the heart the treasure is good, and good things are brought forth with the tongue in declaring what God has done for the soul, crying to Him, extolling Him, and rendering to God the fruit of the lips in words of praise and thanksgiving in every circumstance.Lt 85, 1897, par. 6+1 When the mind is filled by contemplating Christ, the believer can bring forth good things by speaking of Christ, His mercy, love and compassion, and prayer and watchfulness help keep the heart centered on God with selfishness cut out at its roots.Ms 88, 1894, par. 3–4

Bringing forth precious things from the good storehouse of the heart depends on what is put into the heart, so all cheap reading, cheap ideas and talk must be avoided and the most precious store of information sought by searching the Scriptures to understand the word of God.6MR 265.3 When people partake of the divine nature and receive heavenly truth, they bring out truths of God's Word, both old and new, and share them with others, and faithful sharing of what they have received makes their treasure increase.ST Mar 1, 1899 God's messengers must make their minds a treasure-house of good things, storing knowledge of truth so they can draw out a Thus saith the Lord whenever occasion demands, being ready always to speak with Thus saith the Lord and It is written and presenting things new and old, and continually holding up the covenant of peace between God and man that He made with His people Israel.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+2 By contrast, what people bring forth in teaching reveals what they have stored in their minds: cheap theories and foolish tests expose a store of shoddy ideas, while study of Daniel and Revelation fills the mind with essential truths from God's Word that can be shared with others.Ms 174, 1899, par. 8–9

The tongue must be guarded and bridled, the heart opened to Christ, and Christian principles practiced at all times and in all places by those striving to obtain the world to come.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18 Sound, truthful words have the right ring in them, and a person's character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of the conversation, since thoughts produce words and the character of conversation is a reliable test of character.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1 Words encourage and strengthen the feeling that prompted them and act powerfully upon the characters of speaker and hearers, so trifling, nonsensical, exaggerated, passionate, doubtful and discouraging words must be put away and soul purification begun at once, lest words of doubt and discouragement take root in others and produce a bitter result to be accounted for in the judgment.Ms 66, 1895, par. 4–5+2 A person's own words have an effect upon his character, forming it after a divine similitude when Christ is within as a well of water springing up to everlasting life, and speech as a God-given talent to benefit others must be controlled by the Holy Spirit and developed or it will decline.Ms 11a, 1895, par. 9+2 Jesting, joking, reckless and random speech dishonor Christ and show the heart needs cleansing from defilement, while a pure heart guided by God's Word and formed by sound principles produces right words and actions.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1

Good speech from a good heart is a great power for good and a savor of life unto life, while evil speech from an evil heart is a great power for evil and a savor of death unto death, for words reveal what is treasured within and are an index of character that will testify for or against the speaker.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+1 When love for God and love for truth fill the heart, conversation turns to truth and to the hope found in Jesus, producing words of sound sense and pure sacred things, words of praise and thanksgiving, comfort and strengthening, timely words suited to the moment, and hearty earnest testimonies.COL 338.1+4 Such speech speaks of Christ, His mercy, love and compassion, God's goodness in giving His Son, precious personal experience of mercy and loving-kindness and the matchless depths of the Saviour's love, and it helps and encourages others in the Christian life, strengthens fellow believers, glorifies Christ, wins souls to Him, and can convict unbelievers.COL 338.1+3 Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, thoughts and aspirations and desires for holiness and yearnings for piety bear fruit in this kind of language, and pure and kind and true language is the outward expression of inward grace, for the thoughts dwelt upon determine the expression.COL 338.1+1 Evil-speaking must not be encouraged, but the heart must be cleared of what defiles it and speech guarded so it does not call for repentance.RH Jul 27, 1911

Evil speech from the evil treasure includes frivolous, foolish, improper, light, trifling, reckless, hasty, passionate, bitter, abusive, peevish, cutting, doubtful, discouraging, irreverent, uncharitable, false and deceptive talk, slang, jesting, joking, silliness, gloom, cheap common talk, flattery, exaggerated statements, perverse things, profanity and words that deny Christ.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+4 Whether a person talks much or little the words express the character of the thoughts, and sound truthful words have the right ring, while jesting, joking, reckless and random speech, careless irreverent uncharitable words, and words of doubt and discouragement dishonor Christ, grieve the Holy Spirit, expose and reinforce evil within, weaken piety, faith and spiritual power, prevent spiritual growth, and can take root in others to produce a bitter result.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+3 Such poisonous speech reveals inward malignity, so the tongue must be guarded, the heart opened to Christ, and words made clean, pure, simple and elevated, cheerful and happy without gloom yet sober and free from silliness, with no low cheap degrading nonsense savoring of vice and revelry and no copying of another's bad habits, because evil silly talk helps no one, injures spirituality and is forbidden.Ms 73, 1897, par. 14–16+2 The gift of speech is a valuable talent requiring carefulness and modesty, and because words disclose character they will be considered in the judgment to justify or condemn.Lt 9, 1892, par. 48–57+2

The sentiments cherished in the soul find their way to the lips, and Jesus did no sin and no guile was found in His mouth because there was no guile in His heart.Lt 89, 1894, par. 13–14 When truth controls the life, thoughts are brought into captivity to Christ, and the heart brings forth words that are appropriate and fitting and express eternal truth.RH Mar 29, 1906+1 A pure heart guided by God's Word and formed by sound principles and stable principles with Christ's abiding grace produces right words and actions carrying lasting consequences and revealing what is within.Lt 119, 1899, par. 5+1 Speech is a God-given talent that should benefit others, and talents must be developed or they will decline.Lt 185, 1903, par. 5

A man sound in principle, of good repute and Christlike in influence brings forth good things, while an unstable man who says one thing and does the opposite brings out of his heart the evil things lurking there.EDFCP 18.1+1 Such a man speaks just as he feels without regard for truth or falsehood and without studying the influence of his words on hearers as Christ's ambassador, and a minister whose behavior contradicts his claims exposes an unstable mixed character.EDFCP 18.1+1 He profanes both God and men, leads hearers to regard sin lightly or destroys their confidence, damages confidence in Christ's servants, and shows himself unfit to be admitted to fellowship and confidence or appointed to the sacred office of caring for God's flock.EDFCP 18.1+1

The heart is a treasure, and what comes out of it decides whether light or darkness spreads to others.ST Nov 21, 1892+1 Bringing forth good things gives out the light of truth to cheer and bless those in darkness, kept bright by grace as oil in the vessel, while neglect lets the light burn dim and die out.ST Nov 21, 1892 Bringing forth evil things means hasty, passionate speech, slang phrases, foolish talk, idle jesting and evil words, which bring darkness upon the speaker's own soul and upon the souls of others, weaken Christian influence, and fail to lift up Christ so that souls are not drawn to Him.ST Nov 21, 1892+1 What is stored within comes out in character, words and actions, so good things bless others and shine as light while evil things harm others and spoil Christian influence.Lt 27, 1892, par. 15–16

Words and actions are seeds, and their harvest depends on what is sown, for a changed heart is known by the words and works it produces, a good heart bringing out good things while an evil heart brings out evil things and shows control by Satan.Ms 36, 1891, par. 20–22+1 People are to sow toward eternal life, and good works can help lead souls to conversion, while evil sowing grows a harvest after its kind with more harm than imagined.Ms 36, 1891, par. 20–22+1 Every word spoken is as a seed that germinates and produces good or bad fruit according to the character of the heart it comes from.Ms 17, 1895, par. 4–5+1 The good treasure is Christ as an abiding presence in the soul and sanctifying truth practiced, a treasure-house of wisdom and a living spring welling up unto everlasting life, bringing forth good things in wholesome, guarded speech, while the evil treasure is a heart without Christ abiding in it.Ms 17, 1895, par. 4–5+1 The evil bringing-forth is cheap talk, exaggerated statements that make mischief, and perverse, common things and slang phrases, speech that needs to be treated with hot coals of juniper, so every careless word must be weeded out of conversation and the tongue bridled.Ms 17, 1895, par. 4–5 Words encourage and strengthen the feeling that prompted them, so trifling, nonsensical, exaggerated and passionate words must be put away and soul purification begun at once, for thoughts produce words and spoken words in turn strengthen the feelings that prompted them and influence mind, soul, body and will.Ms 11a, 1895, par. 9+1 A person's own words have an effect upon character, forming it after a divine similitude when Christ is within as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and they act still more powerfully upon the characters of others, with passionate words sowing a bad crop no one will care to garner.Ms 11a, 1895, par. 9

Words and actions shape the people around them, for when mind and heart are filled with God's love, noble thoughts, truth, unselfish purposes and desire for holiness find expression in speech.RH May 13, 1915 Careless or evil influence can set harmful events in motion, while a good example strengthens others' good purposes and spreads beneficial influence.RH May 13, 1915 Hezekiah's failure during the visit of the ambassadors from Babylon illustrates the danger of failing one's trust, and his later humbling shows that pride can be repented of, though its evil effects may still bear fruit.RH May 13, 1915 Cheap, common talk, words of flattery, and foolish witticisms spoken to create a laugh come from an evil treasure and are Satan's merchandise, and all who indulge in them are trading in his goods.Lt 57, 1895, par. 25 Such talk makes impressions on hearers like the impression made on Herod when the daughter of Herodias danced before him.Lt 57, 1895, par. 25 All these words and transactions are recorded in the books of heaven, and at the last great day they will appear in their true light before the guilty, when all will discern in them the alluring, deceptive workings of the devil to lead souls into the broad road and the wide gate that opens to ruin.Lt 57, 1895, par. 25

If the love of Jesus is in the heart, even written communications will breathe His spirit and bring forth good, precious things that edify the reader.ST Nov 20, 1884 Writing perverted to extravagance, jesting, ridicule of serious subjects, and idle mischief reveals an evil treasure, is registered in the books in heaven with its results, and will bring shame in the day of judgment.ST Nov 20, 1884 A heart filled with the Gospel and the hope of immortality brings forth its precious truths: the Christian speaks of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, speaks graciously and in keeping with faith, and reveals Christ through service to others.ACSMHFP 10.1 Those entrusted with God's gifts must use them intelligently and let the Holy Spirit shape their disposition, so they produce good things in goodness, love and sweetness rather than objections and decisions distorted by selfishness or an unfit condition of body and mind.Lt 150, 1900, par. 9–13

What children learn from Christ can become precious lessons stored in the heart and brought forth in their lives, like good things from a good treasure.6T 105.3 When Christ does not abide in parents' hearts, selfishness and evil find room there, and their children absorb that influence, for the words and spirit expressed in family life shape children's regard for sacred things.21MR 35.2–4 When the heart is pure, rich treasures of wisdom flow from it, and love to God and to fellow men proceeds from God as the storehouse of all power.Ms 126, 1897, par. 35 Parents and teachers must firmly hold principle, reverence the principles of God's holy Word, keep a conscience void of offense toward God and man, allow no low, cheap, common talk in the family, and let their own life reveal purity and nobility and heavenliness while inculcating ideas of right in children.Ms 126, 1897, par. 35 The inward parts are a holy temple of God, and any entrance of corrupt principles shows itself in words and actions that separate from God and extinguish moral and spiritual power.Ms 126, 1897, par. 35 The mind must be a treasure-house full of good things, so that cheerful, pleasant words of instruction can be brought forth to keep sanitarium patients cheerful and be a blessing to them while they are there.Lt 120, 1907, par. 5 The message of truth they hear will keep repeating itself to them when they return to their homes, for bringing cheerfulness and the joy of the Lord into the work gives far greater results for good.Lt 120, 1907, par. 5

Vulgar, poorly chosen speech shows what is stored inside, for a good inner store brings forth good in words and actions while an evil store brings forth evil, and the mouth with the conduct testifies to what governs within.Ms 2, 1868, par. 25–27+2 When appetite and passion control reason the mind is debased and speech becomes vulgar, revealing an unsanctified heart that must be purified and the life transformed.2T 95.2+1 Jesting, joking, reckless and random talk dishonors Christ and shows the heart needs cleansing from defilement through obedience to the truth, and where the heart is purified and refined and made fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the tongue is sacrificed to God's glory.Ms 2, 1868, par. 25–27+1 Words express the character of the thoughts whether one talks much or little, so character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of the conversation, sound truthful words have the right ring, and words react upon thoughts and shape character, requiring the tongue to be guarded, the heart opened to Christ, and Christian principles practiced at all times and in all places by those seeking the world to come, since words are subject to account in the day of judgment.Lt 2, 1895, par. 15–18+1

Bitter, abusive speech reveals an evil inner treasure and a character being shaped by evil that bars entrance to the kingdom of heaven unless there is thorough conversion to gain the meekness of a little child.Ms 35, 1893, par. 18–20 Receiving truth brings forth good, but claiming to believe without practicing it brings forth evil that wounds, discourages and destroys, for faith diluted by natural traits and lacking Christlikeness loses its saving virtue.Lt 69, 1897, par. 6–7+1 Pride, vanity, self-love, envy and preoccupation with worldly things produce speech focused on those things, while a heart centered on Christ produces good words, and words with acts expose inner character and motives, with careless, false or deceptive words accountable in the judgment.1T 499.2–501.1 Sickly sentimental idolatrous love must be purged from the treasure-house of the heart, whose condition is made manifest by spoken words, in order to love God supremely and love others with a love bearing the impress of the divine.Lt 19, 1894, par. 16

An evil heart can draw a person toward degrading passions and harmful conduct that may ruin hopes and plans for good and become difficult to escape.Ms 24, 1887, par. 61 The defiled inner temple brings forth profanity and the foulest words, with selfish pleasure corrupting the entire being, money spent on selfish indulgence, liquor drinking, tobacco using and indulgence of perverted appetite as the evil brought forth, and the lower the value placed on the body and the less desire to keep it pure and holy, the more reckless the bringing forth of evil.Ms 150, 1898, par. 8 An unrenewed heart produces defects such as pride, vanity, evil temper and covetousness, while a heart refined, softened and ennobled by Christ's grace brings forth good, and when the soul is surrendered to God, reliance on His promises, earnest prayer and determined effort to control words and actions testify to that change.ST Nov 13, 1879 When the soul is converted the tongue and lips are changed and words are used for God's glory and others' good, as the soul's treasure is filled with precious truth through studying Christ's character, so speech and conduct reveal whether childish self-willed traits remain or Christ's character is being formed.Ms 149, 1901, par. 11–13 A heart sanctified to God expresses its thoughts in pure sympathetic words, loving service in action confirms the character those thoughts reveal, and dwelling on Jesus who is light brings pure elevated sanctifying thoughts from the heart's treasure.Ms 63, 1900, par. 13–14

Thoughts should be trained to dwell on sacred themes, for when they become cheap and earthly they produce only earthly corruptible things that do not give life to those around them.Ms 76, 1893, par. 16–18 A heart made good brings forth good sound sensible speech and surrounds the soul with a fragrant atmosphere, proving what the Holy Spirit has done within, while cheap common talk and riotous actions bring forth evil and offend God.Ms 81, 1897, par. 7 Those who speak for God must keep the heart's treasure pure and holy so that what they give others is good, since what is brought forth in words and actions comes from the heart's store of good or evil.Ms 59, 1900, par. 18 A converted heart is needed for a converted tongue, so those who teach must speak with care, for harsh or unguarded teaching can bring serious difficulty to the church.Ms 59, 1900, par. 18+1