You may have heard of the expression: “bursting at the seams”. It’s a phrase people use for something that happens in excess. In the Portuguese language, “seams” can also be translated as “thief”.

For example: “There were so many people at the party that people were bursting at the seams (or thief)”. In other words, this expression has nothing to do with people who commit a crime. This type of “thief” has to do with the world of hydraulics. It is a tube that exists at the top of the water tank. When the water tank has a problem and starts to fill the brim, as a safety measure, the “thief” drains the water, so that there is no overflow. In other words, when the water tank is too full it has to have an escape mechanism.

This is exactly what happens when a person lets out of their mouth what is overflowing in their heart. Jesus spoke about it: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:18-19).

Here’s an example of this: just look at social media and see people spilling out comments, hatred and thoughts, which perhaps, in person, they wouldn’t spill. But the invisibility behind screens allows people to spill even more of what’s inside them than when they’re in person with someone. You must have dealt with people who are very vocal with their complaints. They let the “thief” out because their hearts are so full of these feelings that they can’t help but speak. They fight, drop a hint and the list goes on.

Think of yourself right now. If you see yourself like this (spilling bad words and bursting at the seams), you need to be aware of what you are doing. If the plumber sees the “thief” working, he knows something needs to be fixed. So, you can’t think this is all normal. What do you have to do? A spiritual cleansing, forgiving those who hurt you, for example, you have to stop focusing so much on people’s flaws. Therefore, more than washing our hands, we have to wash our hearts. Everyday. So, we shall shut this “thief”? Watch the video above and think about it.