The Conditions of Our Hearts

We are inundated with choosing one thing over the other. In an average day, choices need to be made and I believe it's our truest character that truly wants to put a good foot forward; to treat others the way we want to be treated and to show goodness and kindness towards everyone. These are the intentions that we begin our days with...But, what happens when the chaos of the day takes its toll on us and we no longer want to treat others fairly? What are we to do when turning the other cheek only feels good in theory? Or when you'd rather pamper yourself instead of offering kindness to others? What happens when you don't want to read your Bible or drive 20 minutes for another Church event? What about when you don't want to pray anymore or when you are sick of Christian platitudes? What happens when your gut feeling tells you to do the exact opposite of everything you know is pleasing to the Lord or when you the thought of giving one more hug or making one more apology leaves you irritated and annoyed? Believe, there comes a time in each of our days when we'd rather just take care of us. We don't always feel like taking the high road and our hearts are often satisfied with "doing good unto me". It's human. It's natural. But, I'll tell you what should happen, instead... in those moments when we are exhausted of doing the right thing, there we find the life changing opportunity to live out obedience and faith, as a result of abiding in Christ.

See, in our mistaken culture, we are taught to go with what we feel. Music tells us to follow our

hearts and live in the moment.  Books and articles tell us to lean into our intuition or intellects and our friends and co-workers advise us to do whatever it is that makes us happy. We have been conditioned to consider "us" first and to please ourselves. This is contrary to scripture, yet, to our own defense, it all makes a lot of sense to live life that way!  It is the nature of man... to put us first; however, that will never fulfill our Spirits. Being self-centered is selfish and blocks others out, including the Lord. When we are lead by the flesh (that natural instinct that we innately respond to) our decisions will reflect the flesh. We will lie to help ourselves, give in to immoral desires to feed our cravings, we will fall prey to greed and self satisfaction, abandon the need to practice patience or cheat to get ahead. These are the natural responses to our humanity and the condition of our true hearts. The reality is that, without Christ, the compass of our hearts are a little broken and we cannot trust its direction 100% of the time.

When we are faced with those moments where decisions need to be made and action needs to take place- basically every moment of our day- whatever is in us will come out of us. Scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Essentially, this scripture is explaining to us that we as humans are capable of doing any deed when placed in certain circumstances or situations. No one's heart is above any sin or crime. This is why, as a true and humble Christian, we must have compassion on everyone who wrestles or struggles with any sin, because no one's heart is above any mistake. I am just as prone to murder as the murderer; I am just as prone to adultery as the adulterer and I am just as prone to addiction as the addict. All that is required is the right situation, circumstances and opportunities, and if not rooted in Christ and filled with Him, then we will all fall, over and over again.

Whatever we pour into our hearts is what will come out. If I pour natural wisdom into my heart, if I fill myself with understandings of this world, popular culture and it's opinions, invest in the entertainment that challenges the standards of Christ or if I lean too heavily on my own way and prioritize my personal freedoms, then the actions of my heart will reflect such. But if I am filling my heart with God's word, surrounding myself in environments and activities that are pleasing to Him- if I am filling my life with worship and consuming the wisdom of Christ, then my actions and choices will be reflecting of Him. The key to living a victorious life is abiding in Jesus! I'm not saying that living for the Lord is "easy" or that making spiritual and effective decisions for Jesus comes without a struggle, but what I am saying is that too many of us are putting up a harder fight in our faith because we are not using the appropriate tools. Following our hearts is a 50/50 chance, that we cannot put total trust in. Looking inward, and not upward results in us losing our way and mistakenly making choices that we never intended to make. We are not praying, we are gossiping. We are not reading our Word, we are watching compromising TV dramas and listening to music that is less than glorifying. We are reading magazines that support our flesh, instead of searching the scripture for ourselves. We are entertaining relationships that are pulling us away from the Lord, instead of encouraging us to pursue Him more. So, when it comes time to stand in the fire or when it comes time to make a choice for Jesus, whatever we are putting in us will always be what comes out.

Instead of following our hearts, that may or may not lead us astray, the more successful strategy is to follow Christ- who will never steer us wrong! Living for us only limits us. Our purpose is above mini-skirts and TV dramas. Our lives are beloved by God and His calling over us is intended to flash His glory and overcome the powers of evil in every area of our lives! Sisters, hear me out: You are precious in His sight! Your existence supersedes that of the label that this culture is trying to place on you or the mindset that our world is trying to produce in you! Stand tall in the light of the Love of our Savior! You have been chosen to be a beacon in this dark world! You have been called to live a life that is called out. When others are tripping in the dark, Christ has blessed you with His salvation to offer a lamp to those who are falling! But in order to be effective Christians for Christ, we have to live out our faith, not just talk about it. We have to prove it everyday, with the way we live, the conversations we partake in and the relationships and activities we invest in. If we truly belong to Christ, we must constantly abide in Him and put our faith in him, and not ourselves. In so doing, we are better equipped to set the example for those who are watching us, proving our faith is legitimate and true!
This is a call to remind us all that we are living for something and Someone greater! Our hearts suggest only temporary resolutions, providing minimal satisfaction that we may or may not regret afterwards. Abiding in Christ and living for the Lord is a guaranteed measure for peace and confidence on a daily basis. If we keep our eyes and heart on Him, then He will fill us and use us for His glory! He will prove to the world, through us, that He is all that they need!

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
-John 15:4-5

Let's live a life of Faith that Proves the Love of Christ!

~Pearls