Welcome back to Proverbs Pathways – finding your way God’s way. Read a chapter of Proverbs each day and you will experience a “mental makeover”! He wasn’t called “Solomon the Wise” for no reason. There are 31 chapters crammed with thought-provoking zingers. For example in Chapter 10 for today, among the various topics the “mouth” sounds off. Let’s break it down a bit: Vs. 11: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” It’s like a fountain because it flows with words. But what kind of fountain is it – a fountain of life or a fountain of violence? James, half-brother of Jesus, likens the mouth and tongue to a small bit that turns a big horse, a small rudder that steers a giant ship, a single spark that starts a three-alarm fire, a poison that’s restless until filling its victims. He concludes by asking, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:3-12) It would be impossible to tabulate the violence instigated by our words. Yet thanks be to God, neither can we tabulate the good, the healing, the love, the compassion delivered through words spoken by Jesus or in His name. The war of words goes on daily. Let’s take the positive side now. Notice Solomon’s uplifting words: Vs. 11: The mouth is a fountain of life. Vs. 13: Wisdom is found of the lips of the discerning. Vs. 20: The tongue of the righteous is choice silver. Vs. 21: The lips of the righteous nourish many. Vs. 32: The lips of the righteous know what is fitting. Jesus solves a mouth mystery. Why does a man or woman, boy or girl, say what they say – good or bad? Here’s what He said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34b-37) It’s not that we merely need a mouth makeover – it’s more serious – we really need a heart transplant! This is what Jesus does in our heart, mind, life and mouth! When our mouth is like a rank fountain it’s telling us we need a righteous heart. Is this possible? Find out for yourself – read Jesus’ own words about a totally new, different birth that comes complete with a new tongue connected to a new heart. His words of life are found in the gospel of John, chapter 3. Just get a Bible and start reading there. I hope you’ll believe and receive these words from the mouth of God. Then let your fountain flow! Keep your fountain flowing with words of life. Chuck Brannon, Pastor P.S.: Share your story or have a question? Let me hear from you.