I figure if God is working on me, there are others God may desire to do the same thing.  Reflection and meditation has it’s benefits and challenges.

To know the condition of our heart, we must consider seriously two things: 1) What we think, 2) What we say.

Before we speak, we think.  What is in our heart IS what comes out of our mouth.  That troubles me because it is written, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).  It is possibly because of this that the Psalmist prays in 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

I have to battle constantly… Not to be critical, to only say what is positive and encouraging, to keep my words through which many are defiled, nor do I want to be a stumbling block (particularly) by what I say.  I don’t want my words to wound, harm, or cause hurt to anyone (God give me the strength).

But alas… some of the things I think (That I’m trying to crucify) prove that there is still residual sin in me.  The Holy Spirit has been using Scripture to show me my constant need to meditate upon Scripture so as to crucify the flesh.  Consider the Scriptures the Holy Spirit has been using (Pull your toes back… the Holy Spirit may step on them):

Matthew 12:34 Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Comment: So what I say IS what is in my heart?!  Ouch.)

Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,  37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  (EVERY careless word?  Really?  Ouch.)

James 3:8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.  (Ouch)

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  (Really? ……)

Romans 8:1 (“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”) does not give me a license to say whatever I want.  No… I am to cooperate with The Spirit to rid myself (My heart) of all ungodliness.  This is called the process of sanctification.  The antidote for sin sickness is meditation upon God’s Word.  So I close with Psalm 119:11…

Thy Word have I hid in my heart so that I may not sin against God…