By Andrea Merrell
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45 NKJV
I’m not fond of cleaning the toilet, scrubbing a
dirty oven, or washing a car. It’s hard work. But I’ve found a chore that’s
even more difficult: cleaning out my heart.
Sometimes, at the most inopportune moment, my
heart will betray me. Just when I think it’s all good, words will shoot out of
my mouth and leave me wondering where in the world did that come from?
It’s simple really. The Bible gives the answer I
don’t want to hear: it came from the abundance of what’s in my heart. The
Passion Translation calls it "the overflow." For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by
your fruit and will be heard in your words.
That’s when I know it’s time for a heart cleanse.
It’s easy to ignore those snarky little thoughts
that creep into our mind. Those wrong attitudes that take up residence where
they don’t belong. They move through our mind and wiggle down into our heart.
They can be so well hidden we don’t even realize they’re there—until we open
our mouth.
Whenever this happens, my prayer goes something
like this: Lord, if my mouth speaks
from the abundance of what’s in my heart, please take out all the junk that’s
hiding there. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Renew a right spirit and a right attitude
in me. I want my heart to be filled with your love, your peace, and your joy.
Help me to see people and situations through your eyes and to be moved with
compassion and not criticism. Let my words be salt and light to others but more
than anything, pleasing to you.
Ahhh … what a great feeling. Are you ready for a
heart cleanse?
This was spot on for me. I loved this devotion. Thanks Andrea.
ReplyDeleteSo glad, Sheryl. Thanks! :)
DeleteSo so true -- Sometimes I just want to slap myself!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel ... but please don't. LOL
Delete