Think About It
“as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
One of the most amazing gifts that God has given us is the human mind. What goes on in your mind defines who you really are.
Consider the rest of Proverbs 23: 7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, But his heart is not with you.”
What is defined here is a person who says one thing with his lips, but his heart is in a completely different place. Which represents the true person? It is the one whose heart is not in it. What a person really is can’t always be determined by what he says. A person’s actions reveal his true nature. By their fruit you shall know them. Everything a person really is flows out of his heart.
This principle even applies in a person’s relationship with the Lord. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
We must guard our heart, being mindful of what is in it. May your heart and lips be in sync.
Things worthy of residence in our heart are established for us in Romans 12. Consider these factors.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
When the Old Testament character Samuel was seeking a new leader for his people He was warned: “…the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
God is saying to us, “I see you.” As a child that thought frightened me. Then I came to realize that was good because He knows who we are, where we are, and what our needs are. Be open hearted with Him.