What's In Your Heart?

By Pat Kempf

James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Matthew 12:34 Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What's in your heart?

James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? We know it can't. So what is in your heart? Is it full of bitterness, anger, or envy?

Or is it full of love, peace and joy?

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. So am I speaking blessings with my words that give life to another, or praising God for that person in my life, because they cause me to go to God for answers because I don't know how to handle them or the situations they bring into my life? Or do I criticize them, curse them with my tongue and curse God with my words of ungratefulness because of the challenges that I "don't really need", that I'm facing?

If what comes out depends on what is in me. Maybe I better examine the well. What is flowing into my well that pollutes it? Where or what is that water flowing through that it is picking up pollutants as it flows along?

I remember a well we had on our property in Oregon. When we first drilled the well on our property the water was really good, clear, and tasty. And after a couple two or three years of drought conditions the water started to flow through a different vein, and rather suddenly it became very acidic. It was not very salty. It was hard to water the yard with, too much of it and the grass dies, too little and the grass also dies. And we couldn't drink it. We waited for a year or more hoping it would go back the way it was, but it just didn't. Without some external help, like lots more rain, which we didn't get, it didn't change. We ended up having to cap it off, and drill another well.

I think about our lives, the same principle applies. If we are in a drought with God and not receiving fresh living water, fresh revelation, hearing Him speak to us, we, after a while become very acidic and unable to control our tongues of criticism, anger, revenge, or bitterness. We may need to make a fresh start. That fresh start is found at the foot of the cross, where I confess my sin, ask forgiveness and get a second chance -- A chance to start with a clean slate. I must learn from my mistakes. When I see what causes me to go astray, I must avoid those things that influence me wrongly. I must get rid of those things that keep me from being under the flow of the Lord who is my source of life, and love and peace and joy. I must allow Him to fill my heart, so it is full. Then I will speak life to others. Then I will look at hard situations with love and peace, and receive from Him the wisdom I need for each situation. He is more than able to handle anything I give Him to handle for me.

The key is giving it to Him and leaving it in His capable hands!

What's In Your Heart?

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