Jesus said, “...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (
Matthew 12:34). This verse lets us know that the contents of the heart, while not readily seen with the eye, will be revealed in the process of time.
This is revealed in Scripture...
While on the Mt. of Olives, Jesus described how Peter would deny Him thrice, and Peter declared that he would not. (
Matthew 26:30-35). Verses 69-75 further describes the unfolding of this scene, and we witness Peter approached once, and then a second time, continuing to deny Jesus.
Finally, angered and agitated that people wouldn’t leave him alone, he hears someone earnestly say, “Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech
bewrayeth thee.” (v. 73).
I thought it was a typo, but it isn’t...the KJV said, “...
bewrayeth...” It is a word that isn’t even used anymore, but means to
accuse, betray.
The word ‘
bewray’ in the Greek takes it even further, and means to
uncover, with ‘
bewrayeth’ meaning
certain, evident, manifest.
Let’s look at this verse from the NASB, “...for the way you talk gives you away...”, and the ASV, “...for thy speech maketh thee known...”
There was no mistaking the fact that Peter was a Galilean...it was evident when he opened his mouth. However, his words meant more than exposing his place of birth, and much more than betraying the trust of a “friend that sticks closer than a brother.” (
Proverbs 18:24).
Peter’s manner of speaking uncovered who he was on the inside. For all of his ‘big talk’, he was nothing more than a coward, afraid to own up to the fact that he knew the ‘accused’. He was loud, quick-tempered, and out-spoken, but it was an illusion.
The Peter that no one could see was a coward. The secret that he buried in his heart was made
manifest, for as he cussed, fussed, and lied for the third time, “ the Lord turned, and looked at Peter.” (
Luke 22:61).
There could be no mistake, for the look on the face of the Master told the story. He saw Peter for who he truly was...and loved him anyway! As Jesus looked into his eyes, he saw his heart, and at long last, Peter saw himself.
Coming to grips with the reality of the ‘real man’ meant that there was a decision to make. He could deal with the problem and be restored, or go out and hang himself, like Judas. Peter chose life.
The words that we speak, the inflection of our speech, and the phrases that we repeat reveal the intent of our hearts.
Words carry tremendous weight in the realm of the Spirit, and thus we understand the meaning of "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."
Am I speaking death to myself and those around me or am I speaking life?!
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