Thoughts Reveal Character
The thoughts of our heart are the real litmus test of our character. “As he thinks within himself, so he is.” “A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one … who with perversity in his heart devises evil continually” (Prov. 6:12–14). Do we really want to know who we are? We must take a hard look at our thoughts. For, “as a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person” (Prov. 27:19). External behavior is not an accurate mirror of our character; the thoughts of our heart reveal the truth. Only our conscience and God can assess the real truth about us.
The magnitude is seen that God knows our thoughts and our hearts. “God is greater than our heart and knows all things” (1 Jn. 3:20). David wrote, “You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether” (Ps. 139:2–4). Why, then, would we ever feel free to indulge in sins in our imaginations? Sins we would never act out before others, but we know that God is the audience to our thoughts. Jesus told the Pharisees, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” Is not what we do in the sight of God infinitely more important than what we do in the sight of others?
More sobering is it to know that our thoughts will be judged. Often the difference between a sincere, godly, obedient Christian and a defeated, weak, struggling Christian is what takes place in the mind. They may be attending the same church, active in the same work, and externally doing the same things, but one is defeated and the other lives a spiritually fruitful life. The difference is their thoughts.
One day the difference will be made manifest. Paul told the Corinthians that when the Lord comes, He “will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts.” Jesus said, “Nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.”
Jesus understood what we often refuse to see, that just because we don’t act out an evil deed, that doesn’t excuse the secret desire. Lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh do not indicate love for the Father. Greed alone is wicked. Covetousness, anger, pride, envy, discontent, hatred, and all evil thoughts are just as bad as the behavior they produce. To treasure such thoughts in the heart and relish the thought of them is an especially grievous sin against God, because it adds hypocrisy to the original evil thought.
The antidote, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” “For, where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”
|
