The Heart: My Mouth Shows My Heart

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."- Luke 6:43-45

Jesus was teaching that whatever we see on the outside of people (good or bad) reflects their hearts. We've been teaching Jimmy that his actions show where his heart already is. And God is teaching us that our words and bad attitude flow right out of our hearts of evil too! I'm so thankful to learn this truth. My bitterness towards someone or anger at Jimmy and Caleb for disobeying isn't because of them! If I'm really grounded in Christ, then my desire will be to lay down my life for them. But since I think of myself and how they "wrong" me, it's showing me my heart lack- I need Jesus to heal me and free me from this sin and give me love for others!

Paul Tripp shares how so many parents try to "apple nail" fruit in their kids lives. They want to make this bad tree look good by teaching good behavior. Though boundaries and rules are good (they show us our sin as we disobey them), obedience should never be the goal.  "Lasting change always travels through the pathway of the heart."

Am I just nailing on my tree instead of honestly seeking Christ to change my heart? Am I nailing "good fruit" on my kids instead of letting their sin point to them that they have sinful hearts that need help?
A tree is known by it's leaves and fruit
Our hearts are always selfish and self serving. Only Jesus was good and loving. Praise God, those that are His can be good and kind and loving towards others in His strength. Often though, I still put my energy into  my outward behavior. It's good and right for me to fight the sin and sinful lifestyle, but always by seeking God and getting to the root issue: my heart. The fruit only comes as God changes my heart to make me more like Him.

 Have I missed a chance to show my kids the good news that help has already come through Jesus and our bad fruit doesn't have to lead to death, but can point our need for life in Christ?

So, as I see my sinful heart, I'm learning to fight against the sin by turning to God and His Word, asking for forgiveness, and praying He'll help me live out His love as He changes my heart. And I'm praying that I can both model and instruct my kids in this truth too. Praise God He gives us strength to be renewed from the inside out!!!

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." - Ezekiel 36:26,27

[Read the rest of this series here: #2- Do I skip heart? #3- Questions, #4- When to Correct, #5- Our process, #6- Bad Character]

Comments

Ru said…
Great insight and thoughts! Thanks for sharing!!!
January 31, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fallen Idol- one man's sin exposed my own

CJ Mahaney steps down as SGM President... I'm still midprocess, but wanted to share thoughts on what God is teaching me. This week, I read that the President of our family of churches was voluntarily stepping down for a season of discipline and restoration because of sins of pride, sinful judgement, lack of submission to accountability, and even spiritual blackmail. We were assured this has been a year and 1/2 long process and he had already been restored to many he had wounded in his sin, but is stepping down to help healing personally and in Sovereign Grace Ministries as a whole. One (godly) man compiled 600 pages of documents of accusations and emails that he sent to CJ and that were posted online. I read through much of it as I grieved and wondered what this means for the church we've loved these past 6 months and our family. Andy and I prayed. I cried. And then I poured over websites of hurt former members and the official documents. They were written personally to ...
Read more

When Homeschool is all over the home

Image
I was ready to give up. I began thinking maybe I should just expect to eat at a table covered in math manipulatives and maps. Over a period of time and in a variety of ways, God lead us to homeschool our boys years ago. I've come to adore homeschooling my kids (most days), but we've never been able to make a "homeschool room" work for us. We somehow wind up on the living room couch or at the kitchen table. Every day. Learning about atoms and molecules Reviewing Latin Oh how the math manipulatives take over the table.  Are you getting the point that we use this room a lot? I remember reading that God has made everything beautiful in his time and thinking that I LOVE that HE's made beautiful things and places and people. It's a cool reflection of Him. I really enjoy pretty spaces in people's homes. It feels welcoming to me. I'm fine with toys everywhere, but I also love welcoming others to a peaceful, homey space. So I began wondering if...
Read more

Because I Forget...

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.   Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”- Ephesians 5:15-17 I’m starting this blog to hold me accountable to live in a way that glorifies God and to encourage other young women and moms who are daily striving to seek Christ alone and make the most of every opportunity to know Him more and make Him known. In my posts I’ll share ways our family looks for the “gospel reminders” in our daily lives and traditions. I need this because I forget. I wander daily away from the truth that I need Christ and I’m not self-sufficient. I forget how much He loves me and offers forgiveness and grace because of His love for me. This is about my journey to know Him more and how I see the gospel in fresh ways and teach it to my children through traditions and daily life. Truly Christ is the center and central theme of the Bible, in my personal...
Read more