Out of the mouth

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. This goes to all those like me who have big mouths!

I find that I am convicted of this not when I am with other big talkers but when I am in the presence of someone who is really listening. It is at those moments I am convicted. This pales to the experience of Isaiah ... but I do find it interesting that he SEES the Lord and yet comments on his unclean LIPS rather than his eyes. Why is that? Why is it that he sees God's holiness and comments on his lips? Anyone have an idea? I would expect him to say something more like, "Woe am I, for I am a man with an unclean heart or mind or some essential aspect of his being ... but why his lips? Sproul mentioned that it was because he was a prophet ... ok ... I can see that ... but it is not fully satisfying.

Maybe this could be a reason. Can any of you look into my heart? Do any of you see my mind? No, you don't know my thoughts. By what means are you able to look into them? Through my actions and words ... for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Mat 12:34). This passage compounds the issue. It doesn't say that what is in the heart comes out through the mouth in equal messure. It says that the mouth speaks from the ABUNDANCE of the heart. I visualize a popcorn machine at the theatre. The kernels pop inside of the metal pan but they won't flow out until the cantainer is completely filled with popped corn. Then from the ABUNDANCE of corn in the pan the lid spews (or should I say speaks) popcorn. Thus, if our lips are unclean ... how much more our hearts!