[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It’s a heart matter

Read: Mathew 15:8-20

Meditation verse:

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man” (Mathew 15:18).

Today’s reading is very instructive. There is a high tendency as humans to focus on the outward man. We exercise, eat right, take care of our skin and ensure that we are well put together all the time. The big questions however are; How are we taking care of our inward man? Do we put in as much effort to take care of our heart or mind? Are we careful to guard what goes into our minds? Are we careful to ensure that unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, envy, lust or idolatory do not take root in our hearts?

Jesus highlighted the importance of focusing on the inward man. “Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (Mathew 15: 17-20). Your heart is a treasure box. It stores up whatever you allow in. And out of this treasure box, proceed the fruits of you life; whether good or evil. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (LuKe 6:45).

This is a call to pay as much attention to your inner man as much as or even more than you do your outward man. Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” The state of your heart will invariably determine the course of your life. Psalm 19:14 says “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer”. Psalm 119:11 says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!”. After David committed adultery and murder, he cried out to God, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Your focus will determine your actions and your focus stems from your heart. It is always a heart matter.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

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