The Right Words

1PE 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

It all starts with the heart. It is the seat of emotions, rational and irrational thinking, logic, reasoning and deduction. It is such a powerful tool that so many verses have been written on it. One of the strongest warnings on the heart is seen in Proverbs 4:23 KJV:  "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

If indeed, the heart is so fundamental to my walk, then I must guard its contents and watch what goes in. I control the inflow, because it is the inflow that determines the outflow, not the other way around. Have you ever wondered why a child spends so much time on the internet, watching pornography and violence, and the society is appalled when the same child becomes a rapist or a violent criminal? What else would a child produce when all he/she spends time doing is reading and assimilating romance novels and movies which are cut away from reality completely. These false ideas are carried into marriage and when things fall apart, the book or the ideas in the books and films are blamed, instead of the right thing: the contents of the heart.

I have learnt something in these past few years: the Bible has got answers to all of life's questions and it is only as we read, understand, assimilate and apply its lessons that we can have answers when the world throws its questions at us. When a human mind does not know the mind of God, what does he say? How does he help? How would he speak and give comfort when he's not connected to the right source of comfort, inspiration and teaching?

Brethren, in understanding, the bible admonishes us to be men. We must move away from milk and start eating strong meat. It is as we spend time 'eating' the Word that we can reproduce it when demand is made on it. What the bible says on all issues is much more important that what the multitude of books written on the issues have to say. How do I talk about a hope I have not experienced? How do I give out what I don't have?  How does my life produce an output from no input?

May I not spend my life pursuing totally unnecessary things. May God give my heart peace as I pursue his purpose, plan and principles for my life. His time of favour is here.