Luke 6:45 New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

We all are familiar with the scripture verse that says: ^7” For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”Proverbs 23:7(a) King James Version (KJV)There is a second part to the verse but the first part is very familiar because it has been used as the title of at least 3 books including one by the actor Sidney Poitier. I have even used it when answering the question as to why I do not include profanity in my poems. My answer is this: “I believe that God bestowed this gift upon me so I have a responsibility to be careful how I use it.” I am not saying that I have never used it because when I was writing while in college there was an occasional “d” word or “h” word, yet even then, there were some words that I personally would not use because one has to make their mouth pretty ugly to use them. That just was not me.
I have issues with artists who denigrate women, advocate violence and curse up a storm in their work and when accepting an award start off with, “I’d like to thank God…” My question is “for what?” Are they thanking God for allowing them to be disrespectful? Or thanking God for allowing them to be their true selves and reveal what is really in their hearts?

Which brings me back to the first Scripture posted, Luke 6:45. I like the second part of that message which says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Remember all those racists who made truly ugly remarks, especially about Black people and then said, “I am not a racist.”Truth is, you don’t manufacture hate. If it is within, it eventually comes out just like vomit!

In the Spirit of Truth,

RuNett Nia Ebo