REFLECT UPON THIS
“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” – Proverbs 27:19 New Living Translation
This is an excellent visual illustration for us to grab ahold of. At one time or another in our lives we have no doubt looked at ourselves in a puddle or lake or some other tranquil body of water. What we see is exactly what anyone who looks at us sees, our physical appearance. In the same way the heart of a man reflects what is inside. Spiritually speaking the condition of a person’s heart will indicate that individual’s true inner nature and character.
“Jesus spoke a great deal about the heart. The heart is a metaphor for the inner life. The word Jesus used means the seat of the physical, spiritual and mental life. The heart is the center and the source of the whole inner life – thinking, feeling, and willing.”(1) God, who according to scripture knows all things that can be known, has the ability to not only see that which is in the deepest recesses of our heart, but also the intentions and motivations of that heart. In other words we could never hide anything from the Lord. He knows what we are going to think, say and do before we even think, say and do it. It definitely requires faith to believe that because that’s some heavy stuff there.
Knowing that about God should be an incentive to live our life according to the standards he has laid out for us in scripture. It’s not meant to scare or intimidate us, for aside from any negative implications; the fact that God knows us so intimately is actually a wonderful blessing. He knows why we trip up and administers compassion and grace to us as a means of encouraging us by his spirit to get up and go on. Those who feel shame or guilt are the ones who try to do something they know in their heart they shouldn’t do. The Lord understands and is willing to forgive. So when you look at yourself in the mirror, know that God sees what you see and much more. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Other verses re: the heart -
Matthew 5:8 New Living Translation -“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”
1 Kings 8:39NLT -“ … then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men, …”
1 Chronicles 28:9NLT - "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”
1 Samuel 16:7NLT - “But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
“Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
Revelation 2:23NLT – “And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”
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