All of life is happening at the heart level. Our hearts are running the show, they are the root cause of our actions. We have to be careful what we meditate on, it’s framing our experience of this life. The concept of meditation is common in the bible, probably as much as it is today. Meditation is a way to still all the voices in our minds and focus on the true voice in us. It’s a way to restore peace in our lives by seeking the truth and discarding all lies. Meditation is a heart exercise.
It’s important to take stock, to make sure we haven’t lost our way. It’s easy to get clouded in a world where we are being attacked from all corners. How do we know the condition of our heart? The bible says the words we speak and our actions are a reflection of what is in our hearts. We can and should examine our own hearts over and over again.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” ~ Luke 6 : 45
It’s easy to think, ‘well I said that but I didn’t mean it and after all everyone talks that way’. Even out of high school we still succumb to peer pressure. It’s human nature to try and conform to the ways of the world, however we are called to not conform but instead to transform according to the truth of God’s word. Why say things we don’t mean or believe in. Let our words be true to the spirit operating in us. We lose our power by fitting in, and it’s not just about being authentic; the great danger is the power behind our words.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” ~ Proverbs 18 : 21
We can destroy with our mouths or we can bring forth life. Think about how many relationships have been ruined by words. Words can be used to heal or to hurt. There is no wonder as to why words have this great effect. We are made in the image of God, the bible says in “His likeness” we were formed. That’s the grace of God! Our Lord spoke the world into being. The words we speak result in something being present that did not exist before. Powerful! May our words uplift, bring healing, promote peace, encourage, comfort, and above all share the truth that has made us whole.
We don’t just hurt other people with what we say, we change ourselves with the same words. The bible goes as far as saying, when we don’t control our mouths we are destroying our lives. Think about how many people we avoid because of the way they speak to us or to others. In the public arena; celebrities, politicians, and business executives have lost it all because of saying the wrong thing. What one says is a reflection of what they believe. This isn’t philosophical. Words matter. Our words matter.
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell.” ~ James 3 : 6
To correct what we say, we have to look deeper. We must examine our hearts. We can’t make ourselves right, we need the Lord to help us. It’s a spiritual journey. King David is commended to have been “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13 : 22) and yet these were his words:
“Create in me a clean heart, O’God and renew a right spirit within me.” ~ Psalm 51 : 10
The state of my life and your life is a reflection of our hearts. We can’t change what is happening around us but we can change our experience of it. How we get through is up to us; it’s a heart matter. Do not let your salvation be without gain, grow. I believe we are all yearning for more love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5 : 22 - 23). The world needs more of this. This is the evidence of Christ in us. Don’t let anything that contradicts God have a room in your heart. Kick it out! It’s out to harm you.
“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.” ~ Proverbs 4 : 23
In our own strength we can not do it, but with Christ we overcome ALL things. We are set free. God is so gracious. He helps us to release the past and forgive. The reason other people try to hurt us - it’s a heart issue. This truth brought to my mind the sentence made famous by the character of Celie in “The Color Purple”, “Everything you done to me, already done to you.” Now I understand why the word says pray for your enemies and those that do you harm. We are healed and protected by God, but that person is outside of that covering and is destroying themselves. They need Christ in their hearts in order to be washed by the blood that takes away the sins of the world (John 1 : 29). We were all once in need of a loving Savior before Christ redeemed us. We were not deserving of this love, but for His grace.
“...whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers.” ~ Psalm 1 : 2 - 3
To keep our heart’s pure we must focus on God. If we lose our focus we will destroy our lives. If we maintain our focus we will produce fruit in season. Hold onto the promises of God.
My prayer: May we be wholly consumed with the things of God. May we see our lives and our world through God’s word.
What's in your heart today?
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