Your Speech Reflects Your Heart, Your Heart Reflects Your Faith

“Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart….For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…” —Matthew 15:18-20

Our old nature does not go away when we are born again, but when we are born again, we no longer have to live in subjection to our old nature.  We have a choice.  But, because it is a choice, we can choose poorly and allow the old nature to dominate us. One of the sure-fire ways that I can tell where a person is spiritually is by listening to what they say and how they say it.

“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45 

In other words, your speech will eventually reveal your heart.  We often make excuses for our old nature.  “That is the way our family is.” “I was just kidding.” Actually, we don’t have to make excuses for our old nature.  It is what it is.  It will never get better.  It can only be replaced with our new nature.  If our heart is yielded to the Lord then what comes out of our mouths will reflect the Spirit. (Read Galatians 5:16-25 to understand the contrast). 

We are all vulnerable to spiritual relapses, but traits of our old nature should not be characteristic of who people think we are, what they have come to expect of us and how we behave toward others and the Lord.  Stop making excuses for what you know is wrong and does not honor God.  Our mission in this life is to reflect Jesus, to glorify God, to proclaim the Gospel through the living out of our lives.

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”  – Proverbs 4:18-27

Before I was born again, using profanity in my conversations was, well, normal for me. Something that my children can’t imagine.  They also can’t believe that I had a problem with alcohol – post Vietnam PTSD self-medicating.  Profanity – in any language – is crass – rude – unnecessary. Often times, it is a common word that is used as an expletive.  It is not really the word that is the problem, but the heart behind the word. What part of your old nature do you struggle with? You can’t overcome it on your own, it is a spiritual quest that you are on and it’s spiritual strength that you need to be successful.  CHARLEY

Why We Have A Problem With Consistency In Our Christian Lives

“When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me…”  —Galatians 1:15-16

Sin entered in through the first Adam.  Redemption entered in through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:45)  Pretty simple.  So why is a truth that seems so simple so hard to live? The fact is that it is not hard to live, so long as you are willing to lay your life down and live by the faith and the power of the Spirit. 

We --- cannot live our new life in Christ through determination and effort.  We can only live that new life through submission and sacrifice.  We must stop trying to “be good” and allow Him “IS” good to live through us.  The word Father means Source.  God is the source of all that is good. 

“As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. ‘Good Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call Me good?’ Jesus replied. ‘No one is good except God alone.’” – Mark 10:17-18

It is by His grace that we are saved through our faith.  Do not be content with a mediocre Christian existence.  It’s not attending church that makes you a better Christian.  You can sit in a pew with a hard heart just as easily as you can sit on your sofa at home.  Another conference is not the answer.  Yielding your heart to God is the answer.  Picking up your cross daily and following Jesus is the answer.  Offering yourself as a living sacrifice is the answer.  Living by faith.  Walking by the power of the Spirit.  Not leaning on your own understanding but trusting God is the answer. 

Do you need other Christians to help, absolutely.  “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken!”  (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12) But you can hang out with someone like Billy Graham with your hard heart to no avail.  And this culture, this fallen world will certainly harden your heart toward the things of God.  Don’t kid yourself.  Don’t pretend.  We all struggle with this malady.  Friend we all need more Jesus.  He is the way, truth, and life. A truth that our culture has rejected, but a truth that we must keep ever before us.

On Who Or What Does Your Faith Depend Upon?

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” —John 20:29

We all live our lives trusting in something.  It might be ourselves, someone else, or maybe even God.  If you are a Christian, of course the third choice is the “right” one.  We trust because we believe that whatever or whomever we trust in will meet what ever needs we might have.

In John 20, Thomas could not believe or trust that Jesus was alive unless he could see Him and touch his wounds so Thomas would know it was not a figment of his imagination or a trick of some sort. Not that he did not want it to be true, of course he did, but trusting in God required that Thomas believe the impossible and for that, he needed physical proof. Well, he got it. But Jesus went on to say that for most, they won’t get physical proof of a spiritual truth. Their belief of the truth of His resurrection would require faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

It is all too easy to trust in people, who we can see, rather than God who we cannot see.  Unfortunately, people are fallible.  They have feet of clay, just like us.  They can start well, but then stray from the path of truth.  The problem is that those who are following and trusting, follow the same path. 

The sermon this past Sunday was from Judges 9.  The story of Abimelech and the people of Shechem.    The people abandoned God and, instead, put their trust in a man.  Before we run to condemnation of those people, we must examine our own hearts.  God includes those stories in the Bible for our benefit – as warning signals – lest we go the way of Shechem which is no more. (I believe the culture of the United States, including some people of faith, is on that path)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is so easy to trust in what you can see.  What seems reasonable. What the majority has accepted as truth. Be careful that you don’t embrace the world thinking that the world is on the right path. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) The Word of God is a light to your path and a lamp to your feet. (Psalm 119:105)

So what or who are you trusting in? Whose voice are you putting your faith in? Whose truth are you embracing?

We Respond To Life With The Nature That Rules Our Hearts

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” —Matthew 12:34

How do you approach life?  I mean .. as you live from one event to another .. from one breath to another breath … what is it that determines how you respond to the events in your life?  What you think .. what you do .. what you say.  As Christians we have a choice, actually.  Because this new life we live, we live in the flesh by faith (Galatians 2:20), we can choose to respond in the natural or in the supernatural.  We can respond as the world does, or we can respond like Jesus did.  How you respond is determined by the true disposition of your heart.  If you see your new life as merely an attribute, like being a citizen of the United States or having red hair, then you are in trouble spiritually.  You can hope to respond to life differently, but it is not going to happen.  Often times, we confuse spiritual response with natural constraint.  Let me explain by example.

Mary is talking to you when she says something that is very offensive. How do you respond?  Naturally, you are thinking an unkind thought, but you restrain yourself so as not to give how you really feel away.  Spiritually, you are not affected by the words, but see Mary’s heart, the source of what comes out of her mouth, and pray for her.  You hold no grudge against her, but have forgiven her for the offense.  You show compassion for Mary.  Like Jesus did for those who crucified Him.  The offense will not be logged away in your heart to be pulled up at some time in the future. 

Let’s say your children are like whirlwinds in your house.  They won’t listen so you yell at them.  You just can’t take it anymore.  You can’t help yourself.  You are right … your old nature is stronger than your will to not yell at your children … but your old nature is not stronger than your new nature, whose source is the Creator God.  You will respond to life from the nature that rules your heart.  Not the one that you want to rule, but the one that sits on the throne.  Living supernaturally does not just happen, it is a deliberate process, yielding your life to God each day, living by faith, meditating on the Word (when was the last time you read the Bible on your own?)  You are a child of God, don’t be satisfied with anything less.

People are good at hiding their true feelings – most of the time.  Something I have noticed is that when a significant life event occurs, such as a death in the family, feelings that are normally hidden are suddenly exposed.  People act in ways, say things, that they typically would not do or say. Those things that they kept hidden in their hearts are exposed. Why? I think that the emotional pressure brought on by a death, for example, takes away self-restraint, and the true nature of people’s hearts are revealed. 

Conversely, when my mom passed a number of years ago – friends from another state showed up at the visitation.  We had no idea they were coming. They came because they cared about Martie and me and showed the compassion of Jesus. The true nature of their hearts were revealed, in a good way.  I have never forgotten that act of kindness and compassion.

Resisting The Pressure And Temptation To Embrace What Does Not Honor God

“Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.” —Psalm 123:3

Most of us struggle with embracing those things that are acceptable in our culture but contrary to the Word.  Without a spiritual perspective, it is so easy to accept what man says is good and what God says is not good or right. We are bombarded, every day, with sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle messages declaring an alternate truth, contrary to the Word of God. Without the influence of the Spirit of God and the light of the Word of God, we are bound to accept the lie as truth.

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.” – Romans 1:25

There are certain things in everyone’s life that we cling to, even though, in our heart, we know they are not right.  There are things that we teach our children are wrong, yet we will sit in our living rooms and watch those wrong things being played out on the television screen or in a movie theater.  What you allow in your home through music and visual media is a statement by you to your children that those things are acceptable.  Do this.  The next time you watch your favorite television show, count those things (words or relationships) that are contrary to the Word of God.  Each one is a lesson.  There is an old adage “Do as I say, not as I do.”  Well, I would suggest that that opposite of that is in effect in most homes .. “Don’t do as I say, do as I do.”  I can remember when I was a little boy, my dad told me not to smoke because it was bad for me.  All the while he was smoking a cigarette.  What is the “real” message there?  If you want to be like me, then you should smoke.

“Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

As we observe sin, vicariously, we convince ourselves that it is entertainment and not “really all that bad”.  What we forget is that our flesh is at the root of it.  Sin is attractive to our flesh because our flesh is sinful.  Look, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!  Whether it is language, life style, or sinful behavior … it promotes those things that are supposed to have been crucified in your life.

Bottom line, if you crave those things, you have a sin problem.  Hope you don’t stop reading my devotions because of that!  Our country has a problem with violence and the most popular television shows are about people killing people.  Parents fear their daughters getting pregnant before marriage, yet most movies and television dramas portray and promote extra-marital sex.  The same media that is slamming men for sexual aggression toward women is promoting Victoria Secret in China, the world’s sexiest man, and promoting women as sex objects at every turn.  Think about it Church!  It’s the frog in the pot.  Christians are being boiled alive … and they think the water is just right!  Don’t try to vindicate yourself .. justify you actions .. confess and repent .. honor God in all you do.

Pray about this … and listen for the Spirit to guide you. I’ll close with a couple of verses that you might consider.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  – Philippians 4:8

“This Book of the Law [the Word of God] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9

Stop turning your spiritual nature off when you turn your TV on or sit down in a movie theater.  If you think the pressure of the culture and the threat of rejection is too great, remember that our God is greater.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me [Jesus] first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19

Things That Hinder Our Hearing God And The Thing That Keep Us From Obeying

“Who are You, Lord?” — Acts 26:15

“God speaks in the language you know best— not through your ears, but through your circumstances. God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, ‘I know that this is what I should do’ — and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, January 29.

Knowing what is right to do … the God-thing … and what you actually choose to do are two often quite different.  Knowing you should not cross the tracks when a train is coming and deciding to wait for the train to pass are two different things.  When you approach the tracks a thought comes to mind … “I think I can beat the train to the crossing.”  Sometimes you are right and other times .. you are dead-wrong.  That is the way it is with believing and obeying God.  God offers His best, and even if you beat the train to the crossing, you have settled for less than God’s best for you.  It may bring satisfaction for a moment, but God deals in the eternal .. not the temporal.  The heavenly not the earthly.  Dr. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, said that God speaks to us in four ways – by His Spirit (the still small voice saying “This is  the way”) – through prayer – by His Word (the sword of Truth, a light and lamp for us to see the way) – through other Believers – and, as Chambers suggested – through circumstances.  Dr. Blackaby went on to say that our problem is not in knowing what God said to us – the problem is obeying what God said.  The Scripture is replete with examples of disobedience.  Hearing God and doing something else because they thought they knew better.

When Paul, then Saul, met Jesus on the road, Saul’s world was shaken. He was convinced that he was doing right in persecuting Christians – convinced that they were wrong.  They had to be! What they believed violated all that he accepted as right. But he was wrong.

For the Christian, hearing God requires two things to be true.  First, our heart must be right … unconfessed sin will hinder your hearing.  Second is the practice of spiritual discipline in our lives .. if you don’t pray .. if you don’t read the Word … if you don’t associate with other Christians who are doing those things … if your focus is on yourself and not God as you live life, then don’t expect anything more than the conviction of the Spirit.  All too often we want to be our own god and decide what is best for us.  

We won’t accept any advice that is not consistent with what we have decided is the best for us.  “I am going to beat that train and you are bad if you don’t agree with me!” We ignore our sins .. having decided they are really not that bad, they are acceptable as far as we are concerned.  We pray asking only for things that support our plan for peace and fulfillment.  We avoid other Christians who will not agree with us.  The fact is that we are practicing vain religion.  We have a form of godliness but deny the power of God in favor of our own devices.  In short we are carnal but are convinced we are spiritual.  

My best and only advice to a Christian who is living like this is repent – you need more Jesus and less you.  You have accepted a life that falls short of God’s plan for you  .. and one day … you won’t beat the train.

Serving God Requires Faith Plus The Power Of God

"Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” —Acts 19:15

When the seven sons of Sceva, the high priest, attempted to drive out unclean spirits in the name of Jesus, they were not able. (Acts 19) They were doing and saying the same things, but without spiritual result. You cannot do anything for God unless it is done by faith in God.  Oh, you can do things in His name, but it really amounts to work accomplished by your own effort.  Ephesians 2:8,9 says we are saved by grace through faith not of works lest any man boast that somehow he had saved himself by his own effort.  And so it is when you step out for God on your own. 

Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)“

There is nothing I can do that pleases God in terms of effort, what God wants from me is a broken and contrite heart and a willingness to pick up my cross and follow Jesus.  You may think, “But God I am so smart.” Who gave you your intelligence?  When you serve God you must lay a spiritual foundation.  If you say “yes” God will take you places that would crush your spirit and cause you to feint in the intensity of the circumstances. Whether it be a lion’s dens, a fiery furnace, or ministering to a difficult person in a difficult situation, God is sufficient to meet your needs.

“… my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a Christian giving someone a drink of water and a non-Christian doing the same thing?  The person receiving the water has their thirst quenched either way.  Sometimes we are guilty of thinking that only Christians can do “good” things.  Not true.  But there is something supernatural going on when a Christian serves others. 

Jesus told the woman at the well that He had living water to give her.  He could offer water to her soul … and so can you.  You must have the Spirit of God in you to do that.  There are organizations involved in disaster relief that have the  reputation for being “spiritual” but, in fact merely have a religious veneer. They will not allow Christians to share their faith in their desire to be “ecumenically correct” and not offend people of other beliefs or no belief at all.  Disasters are not an opportunity to take advantage of people’s vulnerability.  But they do give opportunity for the Church to rise up and be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within them. (1 Peter 3:15) 

There should be no spiritual strings attached to our serving others, but there should be spiritual power behind it.  God uses circumstances to speak to the lost.  Sometimes He whispers and sometimes He SHOUTS!  In any case we must be ready to shine the light of Jesus whatever the situation and circumstance. Just make certain you have spiritual batteries in your flashlight!