READ: Proverbs 4:23, 12:20, 17:20, 19:3, 23:17
When
we take a look at our lives we sometimes wonder – “why do I do what I do? Why
do I say what I say?” The book of Proverbs clearly teaches that all of the
fruit of our life flows directly from what’s in our hearts. This is why we’re
told, “keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of
life” (4:23). If we are to change what we do and say, we must allow the Lord to
work on our hearts then! Probably every person has said something they’ve
regretted and declared, “I didn’t mean that!”, and vowed to never say it again.
But we do, don’t we? Again, it’s because we need heart changes!
“Deceit
is in the heart of those who devise evil . . .” (12:20). Our hearts have many
compartments, some places where Jesus is Lord, and others where He doesn’t
reign. If we’re to move towards wisdom, we’ll need to seek to submit it all. If
we have hearts that are “crooked” in any way we may end up a path that leads to
problems. God doesn’t want this for us! He wants us to rise up in the midst of
life, for His glory and for our sakes! Unfortunately, there are even times when
we go off the “straight path” and then blame God for the consequences! Proverbs
speaks of this, “when a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages
against the Lord” (19:3). How ironic and rebellious! While we may not always
understand why things happen, our choices do have much power. Let’s not blame
God for our poor choices then! Let’s take responsibility for much of what
results in our lives and seek to pray this prayer – “Lord, I know that my heart
isn’t fully submitted, but please work in it so that I might bear even more
wonderful fruit in and through my life. Amen.”
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Spend
some time in prayer, asking God if you’ve ever blamed Him for challenges that
arose from your own poor choices. Confess your pride in this and ask for His
forgiveness.
2.
We’re
to guard our hearts with all
vigilance. Ask God to show you any parts of your heart that aren’t submitted to
Him. Are there any areas of your life that you don’t want to hear from Him on?
If yes, open this part up to Him and let Him speak and minister.
