Simplicity | The Language of the Heart
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: Luke 6:43–45
Our words have power. They can build people up and encourage them, but they can just as easily hurt and discourage them. Often, the things we say reveal more about ourselves than we realise – because our words come from our hearts. What we say reveals what matters to us, who we are and what we base our lives on. That is why it is worth taking a closer look: what fills our hearts – and how can our words be increasingly shaped by Jesus?
On average, a person speaks 13,000 words a day. This was the finding of a study that analysed audio files from 2,197 people. And yes, statistically speaking, it is true that women speak more than men – on average, around 1,500 more words a day. However, the greater variation lies in individual differences – ranging from 100 to 120,000 words a day! Different generations also speak different amounts. Young people (aged 10–17) speak around 8,900 words. Young adults (aged 18–24) say around 12,200 words. Adults (aged 25–64) say around 16,500 words. Older adults (aged 65+) say around 9,450 words. So we have between 100 and 120,000 opportunities every day to make a difference – for better or for worse!
Simplicity
As with everything we’re looking at this year, the main aim isn’t what we’re talking about, but rather being close to Jesus and becoming like him! Practising simplicity isn’t an end in itself, but a means to an end. When we consider simplicity, the question is: «What does my heart possess?» Possessions are a very important topic here, but I’ll only touch on them very briefly in the next sermon. If you’re interested in this topic, feel free to look up the series on possessions and faith from just under a year ago.
At its core, simplicity is about the question of identity. Who am I? What defines me? Who determines my worth? Choosing simplicity for ourselves forces us not to make our identity dependent on external things! The opposite of simplicity is not complexity. Our lives in today’s world are complex, and this does not simply diminish when we live more simply. The opposite of a life characterised by simplicity is a shallow, insipid, superficial life.
In this series of sermons, we’ll be exploring three themes, all of which relate to the human heart. Today we’ll start with language, as it is the direct link to our hearts. Next Sunday we’ll be talking about clothes. As the saying goes: «Clothes make the man.» Our relationship with clothing has a lot to do with our hearts. The final sermon will be about the simplicity of enjoyment. We want to set out in search of true enjoyment.
Heart
«Above all, guard your heart, for your heart influences your whole life» (Proverbs 4:23 NLB). The human heart is understood to be the seat of human thoughts (mind), willpower, emotions and the sense of right and wrong (conscience). It is not merely an anatomical pump, but the very centre of a person! Our language is rooted there! It reveals what matters to us! How we think! Who we are!
Language always does this: whether we’re under pressure, with our family, at a meeting with the bank to discuss a mortgage, in a job interview, when talking to our superiors, on Instagram, or in conversations at church. It reveals who we are! Depending on the situation, language flatters, provokes, confronts, encourages, glosses over things, and so on. It reveals the image we’d like to project!
The heart is incredibly important. Because «A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. A tree is recognised by its fruit. Figs do not grow on thorn bushes, nor do grapes grow on bramble bushes.» (Luke 6:43–44 NLB). A good tree is good by its very nature. This is also evident from its fruit. What, then, is meant by ‘fruit’? It refers to the effects of a person’s life. This is evident in their words, in their deeds, and in the results that follow.
Now let us take a closer look at the key verse, verse 45. «A good person brings forth good things from the good treasure of their heart, and an evil person brings forth evil things from the evil treasure; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks» (Luke 6:45 ELB). This verse tells us two things about the human heart. Firstly, it is a treasure, something of immense potential and value. Secondly, it is unfathomable. The abundance of the heart shows that countless thoughts and feelings lie hidden there. Just watch a couple newly in love (of any age).
There’s no doubt about the sheer volume of thoughts and feelings! But whether it is a valuable treasure – that is the key question. Whatever I focus on and engage with shapes my heart! I recently noticed just how sexually charged most of our films and TV series are. When I engage with them, it influences my thinking. In the church where I grew up, there was an English-speaking family who said they never listened to the radio at home because there’s so much English-language music on, and their children understand it and start talking like that. Back then I laughed – but not any more. Every now and then, out of interest, I browse property websites. The more I do this, the more the thought takes hold that we absolutely must have a house of our own! With the many apps on my smartphone, I can track changes to my pension pot every day. I quickly realise how fears about the future are beginning to take hold.
Please note: Don’t say: ‘Cancel your Netflix subscription, listen only to Christian music, don’t buy your own home, don’t invest in the future.’ What I’m trying to emphasise here is this: what I spend my time on shapes who I am! Inevitably!
Language
To stick with the image of the tree: the fruit is inevitable. The question is whether it is good or evil. And this question is decided in the heart. It depends on what matters to you! It’s about who you are! If your worth depends on certain things, you’ll do everything you can to hold on to them. If your worth depends on what God says about you, you’ll do everything you can to honour Him. How can you tell if something else is important to you in your heart? Watch your language! Your language gives you away! Always! Do I want to impress someone? «Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way» – but (if we’re honest with ourselves)! Do I want to feel better about myself? Am I only thinking of myself?
Today’s sermon is an invitation to make your speech part of your following of Jesus. This applies to some more than others. I’m considered very extroverted, and people like me certainly face a greater challenge in this regard.
Because when we talk about language – it’s also about speaking less. That is the first point. Speaking less means sinning less. «Do not speak too much, for that leads to sin. Be wise and hold your tongue!» (Proverbs 10:19 NLB). Sin means missing the mark. The aim is to honour God with my words! Sin means missing the mark. The aim is to honour God with my words. Hence this piece of advice: if I speak less, I am also less likely to say things that do not meet this aim. Moreover, people actually listen to us when we are not constantly talking ourselves. Furthermore, we create space for others to speak. Many people, myself included, want to be interesting. What if, instead, we were interested in others?
Secondly, it is important to speak the truth. It is clear to many that we should not tell lies. Yet it often happens that we do not tell the whole truth, leaving things out or glossing over them. Generally speaking, we lie for two reasons: «I’m afraid» or «I want to». That is why it is important to be clear in our speech. To say what we mean, not to manipulate. «Just say »Yes” or “No”. Anything more than that comes from the evil one.’ (Matthew 5:37 NLB).
Last but not least, we must use our words to bless, not to curse. Do not repay evil with evil. «If you are persecuted because you belong to Christ, do not curse your persecutors, but ask God to bless them» (Romans 12:14 NLB).
This verse serves as a useful guiding principle when considering how one should speak. «Refrain from idle talk, but let what you say be good and uplifting to others, so that they may be encouraged in their faith»(Ephesians 4:29 NLB). Here, the word used for «bad» is the same as that used for bad fruit: rotten, spoiled. Our words should build up, not tear down; they should encourage, not discourage; they should point to God.
You’re warmly invited to think about what you’re going to do next week. The aim isn’t this exercise itself. Rather, the aim is to make room for Jesus in my own language. Trying to speak as Jesus did will inevitably draw us into his embrace. For if I long for his influence to shape my life, then I will engage with him!
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible passage: Luke 6:43–45
- Which statement or thought from the sermon has really stuck with you – and why?
- Luke 6:45 says: «For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.» In your opinion, what does your speech reveal about your heart? Is there anything you have ever realised about yourself through your own words?
- In what situations do you find that your words «just pour out» particularly quickly? For example, when you’re stressed, with your family, during conflicts, at work or online.
- Which of these three points do you find most challenging: speaking less, speaking the truth, or blessing others with your words? Why this one in particular?
- Are there any words that someone once said to you that still shape you today – for better or for worse? What made those words so powerful?
- What is particularly close to your heart at the moment? Which people, media, conversations, thoughts or topics are shaping you – and how might that affect the way you speak?
- If you’d like to make more room for Jesus in your daily life: what’s one specific step you’d like to try this week? For example, listening more attentively, speaking less, addressing something honestly, encouraging someone, or refraining from giving a hurtful reply.
