What's in Yours?

What's in Yours?

by David Brenneman 

"For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;  from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh." James 3:7-12.

A devotional I read in my Bible app on James says "Matthew 12:34 says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” What is on the inside will come out in what we say. If we have anger or bitterness it will seep into the words that we say. If we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will speak words that are life giving and encouraging to those around us. As we surrender control of our words to God, ask Him to search your heart for anything that could be impacting the way you speak."

What is your heart full of?  What consumes your thoughts during your day?  There is a connection between the two. 

Does bitterness and anger pour out of your mouth?  Anger at what others have said or done, whether good or bad?  

I am reminded of the last chapter of Jonah...when Jesus asked Jonah "Do you have a right to be angry?".

If the passion of your life is Christ, shouldn't your thoughts be of your walk with Jesus?

If what gets your motor running is nothing but the things of this world...what's in your heart?

If your knowledge of God is so little that you can't think about it...then...think about it now.  

When will you make Jesus the leader of your life?  Quit treating Him like some celebrity you know and met once.  Your heart will give away who is reigning in there.

If your desires are most important to you...then it's not Jesus. 

We really don't want the same chastisement that Peter received from Jesus.  

"But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”" Matthew 16:23.

So, my Dear Reader, who is ruling and reigning in there?

"Love not the world nor the things of this world" seems rather easy to figure out.  

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit." doesn't leave much room for any confusion. 

"Love your neighbor as yourself" seems pretty self-explanatory to me. 

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" sets a pretty good path before a Believer in Christ Jesus. 

There's no room nor place for compromise in the life of a Believer. 

Do we really want to add to those things that will be burned up by the fire that will test our deeds done in our lives?

Temptations do not make life change easy.  

We have to take up our own cross and follow Him...that's exactly what Jesus said.  That cross you take up requires all of your attention. All of your heart.  

When established...creeks, rivers, flow naturally.  The path from your heart to the world flows naturally.  So what flows from yours?  

Does pent up rage seem to be it?  Anger at others?  Why?  The Bible says to not let any root of bitterness take hold in your what?  Your heart.  Read your Bible. There's oh so many examples of what that's not a good thing. I would suggest the book of Jonah.  

He had a cultural anger that ran deep.  Jesus was trying to uproot it. 

For a time these people turned to God and God showed mercy at the preaching of Jonah.  

We need to take great care in what resides in our hearts.  Loving this or that in this world will become a snare.  Perpetually being angry will cause bitterness to take root.  When we teach others to love things in this world we introduce stumbling blocks to them.  Jesus's harsh words on that concerning children says everything. 

"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks!  For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!  “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire.  If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost." Matthew 18:6-11.

Take stock of your hearts desires. They will show you much. 

Take a good look at what pours out of your mouth. 

This will show you the state of your heart.

Take a good look at your real relationship with Jesus.  Not the one you display before others.

Jesus wants your whole heart. 

He searches your whole heart. 

Not just the parts you want Him to see. 

Our lives are not even a spec on the time-line of eternity but what we do, how we do it, what we do it for, impacts everyone around us...for now and eternity to come. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.