December 5, 2018
In your pursuit to walk with God, you soon discover that heart and behavior are linked. The Bible states this truth in Proverbs, “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man” (Proverbs 27:19 NIV). “Heart” in scripture is considered the center and core of life. Look in the heart, and you discover the man or woman. The heart has your spiritual DNA. Scripture says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
The heart reflects your real character. Jesus said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, and adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, and deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23). Out of a godly heart come good thoughts, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The Bible states that our core values—Godly or worldly—are established and passionately fixed in the heart. As used in biblical times, they regarded the heart as the central organ that controlled all physical activities and to be the seat of the emotions and the intellect, the center of all personal values.
On the emotional or moral the Bible says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Mark 12:30a). And, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21a). Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart” (Romans 6:17a). And, “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart” (2 Corinthians 9:7a).
Although we can’t see inside a person’s heart and view their values, we can hear their words and see their behavior. Words reveal core values and Scripture declares that “In the Day of Judgment, we will either be justified by our words or condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Jesus said, “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops” (Luke 12:2, 3).