The fruit of lips is a bit of a strange concept. We receive fruit as nourishment though lips but how often do we view our lips being a full or lacking in fruit.

The phrase "fruit of lips" shows up twice in scripture. However, instead of jumping right in and looking at these passages, I would first like to look at a story where Isaiah declares, "woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips." We find this statement in Isaiah 6, and it is quite provoking. A prophet amid a nation of sinners stands in the throne room of a holy God. As a man, how does he respond to this glimpse, or shall I say more than a glimpse, of the unveiled nature of God? Moses witnessed the wake of God's glory, Isaiah experienced the rumbling voice of six-winged creatures crying out holy, holy, holy, as smoke filled the room where God dwelt. We can only begin to fathom what Isaiah witnessed. The contrast between Isaiah's sinful state and the holiness of God leads to the man pronouncing a curse on himself with the words "woe is me." This is where Isaiah confesses his sin of unclean lips and the sin of his nation. In God's mercy, the seraphim took a burning coal and purified Isaiah's lips. A man undone and exposed listens to the mighty praise of the seraphim and thinks to himself, "look at that angel and look at me, I am unworthy to bring a single word to the king of kings with these unclean lips." However, this King did not leave the prophet in his undone state; He acted in mercy. After purification, the Lord asks, "who shall we send?"

And Isaiah responds, "send me." The task is to proclaim the following message. "I will harden their hearts, I will blind them, for the forest is turned to stumps, and the stumps are scorched." The hope feels dim in this message, but let's turn a few pages to Isaiah 57 where Isaiah continues as the messenger between the people of God and God himself. Let's begin with verse 17 where God states that I have seen his ways, every betrayal, every frustrated thought, yet I will heal him. Such comfort is found in these words. God turns mourners into people with fruitful lips. He takes his dispersed sheep and gathers them. From a pierced lamb comes salvation, that no sinful man may claim it, for salvation belongs to the son of man. Praise will flow from the mouths of Israel, for God forgets not his people. Like a river of healing water, we experience the effects of fruitful lips. These are Christ's lips, our minister's lips, and the lips of a prayerful servant. This list could go on, but life-filled words come back to a source, the only God who takes the first step to mend what is broken, raising our dead souls to new life. God heals and restores that we might attribute his work to his name through praise.

Let’s turn to see what the author of Hebrews says centuries later. He writes, "through him." Taking a quick pause right there and first define him. This chapter is rich in Old Testament imagery that points toward Christ. Just as animals were burnt outside the camp and their blood was brought into the holy places, Jesus suffered outside the gate, sanctifying us through his blood. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we are to follow Jesus outside the camp and bear the same reproach that he endured. The earthly temple was never the point of it all. Christ is all. This earth is passing away, but we look forward to the city that is to come, a city not aluminized by sun, moon, or star, but by glory God. Now that we have defined him, let’s go back to Hebrews 13:15. "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." This sacrifice outside the camp is one of praise. Instead of looking to an animal as our substitute, we look to Christ as the perfect sacrifice. There is no other name with the power to save.

Therefore, let us offer up our lives as living sacrifices. Our lips and our whole lives should reflect his nature through worship. The work of Christ is sufficient reason for continual praise. May we be known as people who bear the fruit of lips with strength found in grace rather than comforts. As the author of Hebrews writes, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever," let us therefore not give our praise to any mere human, any angelic being, or any created wonder. The Lamb of God is worthy of it all.

Isaiah 6:5 - ESV And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 57:17-18 - ESV I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.

Hebrews 13:15 - ESV Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.