Deception Versus Integrity

The potential for deception is entrenched into our character and seems to be present from early childhood. Deception, in whatever forms it takes, builds a bridge to broken trust and broken hearts. Psalm 62:4 defines it. "They delight in telling lies, speaking pleasant words with their mouth but cursing with their heart." 

The biblical word for heart refers to integrity and character, how people think and feel. Here the heart is the seat of all behavior, both good and evil. Listen to Proverbs 4:23-24: “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Refrain from deception in any form; keep corrupt talk from your lips.”

Words can steal joy and peace when used as a weapon. However, words build a bridge to love and trust, hope and goodness, and can heal the sick in spirit and soul. Kind words are able to restore a troubled relationship by closing the gap of alienation. Ask God to bless you with a clean heart.                            

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A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.

~Luke 6:45 The Living Bible

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Build a Bridge to a Clear Conscience

It's difficult to comprehend the influence that our language and behaviors ultimately have on others and ourselves. To accept that every word spoken has some lasting positive or negative affect is an awesome responsibility to shoulder. Is it correct to say we haven’t given much time to reflect on this truth?

Listen to the words of Jesus from Matthew 12: “For out of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, while the evil man brings out the evil stored up in him. But I tell you this: you will give an account on the Day of Judgement for every careless, thoughtless word you have spoken."

Here’s the Good News. You store up good in your heart by permitting Jesus to transform you into a person with a clean heart. This builds a bridge to a clear conscience for standing before God, whom you will face in eternity. What better objective is there than the desire to possess a clean heart?       

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The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.

~1 Timothy 1:5 International Standard Version

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Fightings Within, Fears Without: Come to God - Part 1

Self-condemnation is often caused by expectations that are impossible to achieve which pave the way for blame, defensiveness and guilt to surface. Criticism from significant others creates a lack of self-acceptance and will generate internal and external conflict. Imagine the emotional pain produced by a negative perception of oneself.

Coping with low self-esteem through eating disorders, substance abuse and other harmful behaviors tends to exaggerate internal strife. Self-condemnation makes it difficult to feel loved and accepted by God and others. As difficult as it is to achieve, the objective is to change a negative perception of oneself to self-acceptance.

The Apostle Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Choosing to be vulnerable for God to cleanse the heart, soul and mind of guilt diminishes self-condemnation. 1 John 1:7 reassures me that the blood of Christ Jesus cleanses me from every sin. Thank God for his grace and mercy and for new a beginning.  

Golden Opportunities: Hard Choices - Part 3

Everyone has values for choosing how life should be lived. Jesus put our choices into perspective. "Enter by the narrow gate; for the wide is the gate and easy the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter it. Narrow is the gate and hard the way that leads to life and few are those who find it." What is your honest response to these words?

I asked a man in his late thirties if he could ask one thing from God, what would it be? After a long silence, he said, "A clean heart that’s been forgiven, one that absent of the guilt and shame I’ve brought on myself."

To enter the narrow gate requires examining your values. Put into perspective what's on the other side of the narrow gate that awaits you. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, or can the mind imagine what lies in store for those who choose to love God." God creates in us a new heart when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Will you do that?  

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 3

Do you realize that God probes your heart to insure nothing is hidden from him or yourself? In a court of law, attorneys examine and cross-examine witnesses in search of the truth. Counselors listen for thoughts and feelings to help resolve emotional and relational conflicts. Mechanics have diagnostic tools for solving problems with your automobile.

God searches the heart for hidden and unforgiven sin. He examines the heart for motives that sabotage his purpose and plan. He knows we’re capable of intentions that are contrary to his ways and in conflict with our conscience. God checks out your heart to see if fellowship with him is based on truth and to challenge you to live within that truth.

God scrutinizes the heart, seeking wrong motives, thinking, and deeds that prevent growth and maturity in faith. Balaam, in Numbers 22, recognized and confessed his sin but never repented or changed. In contrast, David repented and begged God to create in him a clean heart. God is capable of doing just that.