Day 19: What comes out of you?
Proverbs 4:23,
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Paul Tripp, a Christian author and counselor, once wrote that nothing comes out of you that isn’t already in you. His comment was taken from the events of a family dinner in which his uncle, once filled with booze, went on a profanity laden tirade about women. A pre-teen at the time, Paul recalled his mother pulling him aside and informing him that his uncle was simply expressing what was always in his heart. His true self came out with alcohol and his condescending thoughts about women were simply kept at bay while sober. What comes out of us is directly related to what we put into us. If tomorrow you no longer have a filter, what would come out of you? What comes out of you when you’re mad, sad, in pain, cheated and or/stressed?
Having worked for a number of years in a nursing home, it became very clear once people had completely lost their filters which ones had invested their life in Godly things and who had invested their life in earthly things. Let me tell you, there are few things that can prepare you to be thoroughly cursed out by a ninety year old plus grandma. Worldly people are mean, disrespectful and not very likeable. In contrast, those who were believers retained a demeanor consistent with who they were before their filters were gone. They didn’t curse and were not mean and as a result, people liked them better. Even in their declined state, those who honored God found favor.
If at times you find what comes out of you isn’t what you want to come out, here are four things you can do daily to guard your heart. We need to use wisdom in what we allow into our hearts. We only have limited time each day, so we must be prudent in what we are being influenced by, listening to, or looking at. We need to start our day preaching the gospel to ourselves. With this truthful reminder, you’ll have no choice but to glorify God in everything. Prioritize your day instead of letting the day dictate your priorities. God can often be the last thing on our list. We may not say that, but the way we live declares it. Last, there will be times you don’t feel the Lord’s presence or feel like He is listening to your prayers. Persevere! Trust that He is always completing a good work in you. Believe that the Lord will prevail, in all things. As you persevere, you will continue to grow in godliness and your heart will be strong.
Action: Pick one thing to guard your heart daily.