The Tribune

By CARLOS SPENCER

My topic today is critical to all that we say and do, and is relevant to everyone, myself included. As always, scripture provides much insight for us and Proverbs 19:21 (KJV) is a good starting point: “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”

We may make many plans but it is God’s purpose that prevails. This is an important principle for us to grasp and should be at the centre of all that we strive to do in life. Proverbs 16:9 puts it in a slightly different way: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”

In 1 Samuel 16:7 scripture tells us “for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Luke 6:45 makes the point that good people do good things because of the good that exists in their hearts. Dishonourable and Machiavellian people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Our words reveal what is in our heart. Matthew 15:18 (KJV) states, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

Therefore according to the word of God, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” (Matthew 15:11) We can obtain a deeper understanding of what scripture has to say about what is in the heart of a person by looking at Proverbs 27:19 (KJV): “As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” In other words, one sees one’s face in a mirror and one’s thoughts in the minds of others. Yet again, as water reflects a face, so a person’s heart reflects the person. Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) states that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) reminds us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Jesus says in Matthew 12:34-35 (KJV): “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” These are not my words, but the word of the Lord.

On a concluding note, I wish to refer to some well known passages. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7 KJV) Proverbs 3:5 & 6 (KJV) admonishes us “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Finally, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:8 (KJV): “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His Word.