Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20
Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.
The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.
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July 23, 2012
Journal for Today-JDV
Lord, I am certainly glad to discover that you are in charge of purity and innocence for my life. Sometimes I feel so far from pure, I wonder if I can even be considered “OK’. I have a tendency to seek my own way in everything I do; seeking the most personal gain (or the least amount of pain) in relationships and projects…everything I do. I wonder if I can ever be a person that seeks the best for the other people in my personal and business relationships and projects.
And God says…”Your nature is not to look out for the other person first; except when you see them as an extension of yourself. Most of all your waking moments are spent trying to figure out how to find peace and joy in a life naturally focused on avoiding pain and maximizing your pleasure. It is a stress filled existence living in this way, even when you find the discipline and self-control to set “healthy” patterns for living. You will always have the heart felt void you try to fill with less pain and more pleasure; until you surrender your life and efforts to me.
Acknowledge Me in all your ways and do not rely on your own ways of doing things and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and all you need will be provided. Delight yourself in Me….and I will give you the desires of your heart.
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Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord,
These are some pretty hard words. But they ring true. Life seems to be set up as a game that is impossible to win … using all the best of what we bring. It’s a great thing that you have brought your redemption and we can win the game … but only by surrendering and letting you empower us. Easier to understand the concept than actually get it done…
Yes, especially for those of you who pride yourselves on being self starters, self motivated and self empowered. You have to run a little while, or a long while before you find that you are powerless … and then my Spirit can come and empower you.
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