OK, it’s confession time… The Lord has been dealing with me about my “attitudes!”
As a Christian I try to be careful about what I say (the things that come out of my mouth) and what I do (my actions and behavior). I want both of those dimensions of my life to be consistent with my claim to be a follower of Christ! And I guess I am more or less successful at that (but I have to admit it is the “less successful” times that bother me!).
You know what I’ve discovered? It is my “heart” (i.e. my “attitudes”) that are the root of the times, places, and ways I’ve spoken and acted in ways that are displeasing to the Lord! And isn’t that just what the Bible says is the issue! Here it is…
“Keep your HEART with all vigilance for from it are all the issues of life!” (Proverbs 4:23)
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:34-35)
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person!” (Matthew 15:18-20)
In fact, just the other day, I was priding myself in not having “popped off” with a bitter, biting, angry retort when the Holy Spirit “nudged” me real hard and reminded me, “You didn’t say it LeRoy, but you really FELT those thoughts! When are you going to start dealing with your unholy attitudes? That’s sin, too, you know!”
OUCH!
So here’s the prayer I’m “reviving” on a more regular basis in my life… “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! … Let the words of my mouth AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!” (Psalm 139:23-24; 19:14)
Hear me… I want to be pleasing to the Lord… INSIDE > OUT!
Coffee With The Lord 