An Unhealthy Heart Leaves Behind Destruction

Is the heart healthy?

We have heard the saying "negative nancy,” "misery loves company,” “hot head” etc. Usually these sayings are used to express how someone living in a constant state of unhappiness or anger feeds their woes by spreading their discontent to others, ultimately leaving behind destruction. Sometimes the constant state of an unmanaged temper turns into spiteful behaviors leading them to stirring up trouble. Today let's talk about the condition of the Heart. Is your heart producing gentleness and knowledge or is it producing harsh words, anger, and gushing folly. An unhealthy heart does not delight in hearing anything constructive, instead it prefers its own orbit of stubbornness and insisting on its own way.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. Proverbs 15:1-2

We have all probably been on both sides of the equation some time or another. It is not really intentional but it happens. Sometimes you simply go through good moments and bad. No one is exempt from ever speaking in an ill manner OR stubbornly insisting on their own way out of anger. When the heart is unhealthy the mind becomes stubbornly focused on the wrong things. The Lord often uses the word "heart" to describe our intentions; the well-being of the soul and mind--in scripture (Mark 12:30; Philippians 4:7; Psalm 51:10).

As Christians who desire continued development, we must check our heart health. When I speak, am I speaking from love, kindness, compassion, truth, respect, and honor? Do I speak with rage, resentment, anger, jealousy, haughtiness? Do I intend to seek understanding or do I intend to speak with reproach to prove my point? You see, we have all done these things. If you have ever been angry with a family member, significant other, friend or even church member you have done this and so have I. To think that you have not, would mean you are without any sin in life and even Christ knows that is not true. So how can we live out gentleness and knowledge instead of harshness and anger?

1. First, we must look inwardly and not at others and their actions.

2. Second, we should acknowledge our behaviors and confess them to the Lord as we desire to develop daily to become better

3. Third, we meditate on scripture to pour positive speech into our daily walk so that the flesh is controlled by what lives within us

4. Pray for renewed mind and heart so that the spirit may be set free from negative past postures

The third one here is my favorite I must admit. This is because without the word of life poured into the spirit we cannot be grounded into the heart of the Lord. While we may pray and try to have changed behavior, without the word of God those prayers and changed behaviors are fleeting. There has to be more than that to anchor your soul in the goodness of the Lord. What pricks your heart when you lean towards unhealthy ways?

The scripture comes to life in a moment where you fall short, it reminds you to be better. I recently did a devotion on Abigail and David. Abigail reminded David of who he was in Christ and that reminder helped David subdue (or restrain) his anger from killing Nabal. We all need something to bring us back into the arms of Christ when we charge full speed in negative speech and stubborn actions insisting on our own way. What is your heart health and what is anchoring you? I am reminded today that even when my heart hurts I must remember who I am in Christ.

Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for offering an opportunity to come before your feet to request a renewed heart and mind. That my actions will reflect more of you and less of me. When I experience moments of anger, sadness, or even discontent remind me that my speech is powerful not only over my life but how I engage with others. Father forgive me for times where I fall short of kindness and compassion and help me to speak with healing and love. In Christ Jesus name ~ Amen