Mouth-Full

How many times have mothers said to their children, “don’t talk with your mouth full?”  Countless, I’m sure!  Certainly, everyone wants to see food before it is consumed, but few [except perhaps little boys] want to watch it during the “consuming” process! 

God cares what His children’s mouths are full of!  We are, of course, to be faithfully obedient to His great commandment, “love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).  Note, however, it does not end there!  Paul developed this further when he wrote, “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him Who is the Head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15).  Now, this is where it gets tricky and often unpopular!   A mouth-full of love is usually welcomed and loved;  a mouth-full of truth [even when spoken in love] tends to get labeled and criticized.  A former pastor put it like this: “Truth without Love is unkind, but Love without Truth is hypocrisy.”  I challenge you to read-the-red (Christ’s words) – He didn’t dice up or water down the Truth, yet all He said was spoken with gracious candor.  So, how does God measure a mouth-full?  It’s measured in Truth and Love – not one or the other, but both!  Be aware, however, such a measure very likely won’t be “consumed” as graciously as it is spoken but the combination is pleasing to The Father.  Believer, keep your mouth-full of His Love and His Truth, boldly speaking “in and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).  Yes, keep your mouth full!