Heart-to-Heart

In these modern times, we are told on every corner to "follow our hearts" and speak our minds, say what we feel and have no regrets. Well, I don't know about you, but I have listened to my heart when I should have listened to the still, small voice inside me telling me "No." I have regrets about the words I've recklessly let pour out of my mouth. Our heart is above ALL things desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I've also spoke my mind out of anger without putting any thought to the consequences and hurt people who I love. I've also, more than likely, been a stumbling block to another Christian, or made a lost person turn from what I was saying, by not having COMPASSION behind my words. That my friends is what makes the difference (Jude 22)! To have compassion, we must guard our hearts from this worldly concept of "Say what you want, do what you want." That thought is destructive, in the sense that it causes one to be prideful and/or selfish; and honestly, each goes hand-in-hand. 

Proverbs 4:23 says, Keep thy heart with ALL diligence: for out of it are the issues of life. When you stop guarding your heart, you allow seeds of bitterness, jealousy, selfishness and pride to take root in your heart and grow ugly weeds that are hard to get rid of. I am telling you from experience, that once they are there they WILL come out. Women, me included, are the absolute worst about saying evil things that we let fester in our hearts, then turning around and having to mend ripped relationships. If we would take the time to guard our hearts, and keep our affections on things above, we would have less to worry about. More friends. Less gossip. Less bitterness. Less friendship that have been hurt by words spoke out of unbridled emotions. We love because Christ first loved us, correct? He gave His life for us. He continually takes us back after we forsake Him. When we are angry, He returns with a soft answer. A challenging thought! Are we loving people-- sinners, our family & friends-- as Christ loves them? Are our words drawing sinners to Christ? Are our words drawing our saved loved ones closer to God? 

D.L. Moody said:

"That which lies in the well of your thought will come up in the bucket of your speech."

More importantly, Jesus Christ said:

 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45

Gain passion. Guard your heart. 

- Carrie Anna