Jan 23 – The Meditations of the Heart!

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

The meditations of a person’s heart, the words of his mouth, and the deeds of his hands—these three define his spiritual life. If the root is holy, the plant will be holy; and only if the plant is holy will its fruit also be holy. The thoughts of the heart give birth to words, and the words eventually turn into actions.

Therefore, the children of God must be cautious even about the meditations of their heart. The Bible says, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Whoever wins the battle in the realm of thoughts will protect his life in holiness.

The Lord knows your thoughts from afar. Nothing is hidden from His sight. During the days of Jesus in this world, He knew the thoughts of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. He asked them, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4).

Likewise, in the days of Noah, “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Therefore, be extremely watchful over your thoughts.

I know of a sister whose thoughts were infiltrated by Satan. He repeatedly whispered, “You must commit suicide.” She did not rebuke the enemy who brought that thought, nor did she hide herself under the protection of the blood of Jesus. As a result, those suicidal thoughts grew stronger day by day. She even told her husband, “I am going to end my life.” He, too, did not correct her words. Tragically, one day when her husband was away at work, she poured kerosene on herself, set herself on fire, and died.

Today many people entertain sinful imaginations in their thoughts. After watching movies, they give room to impure desires. When opportunity comes, they fall boldly into sinful actions. Afterwards they cry, “Alas! I have sinned.”

A person commits sin in his heart long before he commits it in action. The deed merely follows the thought he has already conceived within. Children of God, keep watch over your thoughts and meditations.

Verse for further meditation: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; … but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (James 1:13,14)