Is it Time to Test Our Wells?

Dear Saints,

So many things can pollute a well: filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, curses, careless / rash words, speaking deceit, taking the Lord's Name in vain, worthless oaths, anger, clamor, slander, murmuring, backbiting, etc. (Ephesians 4:31, 5:4; James 5:12; Matthew 12:36; 1 Peter 3:10; Deuteronomy 5:11; Hosea 10:4; Proverbs 18:8, 25:23; etc. etc.).

But ... "the mouth of the righteous is a well of life". (Proverbs 10:11).

If we would but examine the clarity and drink back a few samples poured fourth from our own wells, we'd quickly "taste and see" if it requires maintenance.

Indeed, they always need maintenance and sometimes major repair.  What follows are the basics:

#1.  Let's see, to properly maintain a well we must understand: "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks [i mean the well pours]. (Matthew 12:34).

#2.  And so to freshen our wells we need to regularly add in what we want to pour fourth.  It is called: "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:11).

#3. And Perrier, Pelligrino, etc. drinkers know a bit of mineral content makes fresh water taste even better.  i think this is the Holy Spirit factor.  Paradoxically, the Bible calls it: "Let your speech always be ... seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6, c.f. Acts 2:3?, Mark 9:49?).

#4.  Even having done the aforementioned a filter is helpful to keep out the yuckies that tend to creep in.  "When words are many, sin is not absent." (Proverbs 10:19).  "Let every man be ... slow to speak" (James 1:19).

#5.  Finally, we put it all together and dedicate the well to His service.  We pray: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer! (Psalm 19:14). 

The result is water from the Rock!!! (c.f. Exodus 17, Numbers 20).

in CHRISt,

tIMCOOK \○/