Dear friend, as the Bible says in Proverbs 22:11, "He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King as his friend." We have to be filled with the Word of God. Only then will our mouth speak gracious words. In Matthew 12:34, that's what the Bible says—"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." When a person is filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, his mouth also overflows with God's Word. Only then does a person speak the Word of Prophecy. A person is literally carried away by the Holy Spirit to the point that the person is filled with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was in this world, He was full of the Holy Spirit. In John 3:34, we see that the Lord gave Him the Spirit without limit, and that is why the Lord spoke gracious words, as seen in Luke 4:22.

But how does a man who lives a worldly life speak? In Psalm 55:21, the Bible clearly says, "His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart are war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers." Many times, we too get deceived by those flattering words. We get along with them and go into the world sometimes, but then we have to be very careful to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be governed by the Holy Spirit all the time. The Bible says in Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace, but the mind governed by the flesh is death." Don't be deceived by the words of worldly people. On the other hand, cry out to God like David did in Psalm 51:10, "Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me." A clean heart is very important for us to speak gracious words. A clean heart is a heart full of God's truth. God's truth cleanses the heart and enables us to lead a holy life, as in Matthew 12:33, which states, "A tree is identified by its fruits."

In the Bible, Daniel prayed to God three times a day. Because of that, God gave him revelations about the future days, and he had so much wisdom. King Darius recognised that Daniel had exceptional ability and even considered making him the ruler of his kingdom. But the ministers who worked with Daniel did not like it. They made a law so they could throw Daniel into the lion's den. When Daniel was put in the den, King Darius was deeply troubled. He really became a friend of Daniel and did not want him to be thrown into the lion's den. The whole night, the king could not sleep. Early in the morning, he ran to the lion's den and cried aloud, "Daniel, you are worshipping your God. Did your God save you from the lion's mouth?" That much the king loved Daniel. When we have the Word of God in our hearts, when we speak God's Word graciously, even the king becomes our friend. May the Lord make you so. May the Lord give you a pure heart that loves Jesus, as we meditated on today.

PRAYER: 
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your living Word that fills me, transforms me, and purifies me. Lord, I pray that You will create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my heart overflow with Your truth so that my words can always be gracious and pleasing to You. Help me not to be deceived by the smooth words of the world, but to be guided continually by Your Holy Spirit. Just as You filled Jesus with the Holy Spirit without measure, and just as You granted Daniel favour and wisdom, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can walk in Your truth and holiness. Let my words bear good fruit and draw even kings into friendship. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.