A Note from Hixon Frank
Hey Church!
What if….
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that, “The heart is more deceitful than anything else,
and incurable—who can understand it?”
It’s really hard, if not impossible, for us to know what’s inside someone else’s heart. Most of us think we are pretty good at knowing what is in there, but we simply don’t know. We make assumptions, impugn, and vilify but the reality is that we will never really know. What makes it more difficult is that we live in East Texas where “Texas Hospitality and pleasantries abound.” So, you may never even be aware of something that is held against you.
BUT, WHAT IF… FOR AN ENTIRE DAY …
- we had to be 100% honest about everything we thought?
- we had to be 100% honest about everyone we came in contact with?
- we couldn’t just remain quiet but had to express in words the condition of our heart as it relates to other people?
I’m certainly not suggesting it … but it would be tough, wouldn’t it?
- I mean, every feeling of jealousy, resentment, and anger would have to be shared.
- Every sense of betrayal and disappointment would come to light in the messiness of relationships with others.
- Every lustful desire, envious scheme, and slanderous thought would have to be expressed in words that clarify the actual state of our hearts towards one another.
- Entitlement, arrogance, etc., would be given a voice. Yuck!
Even the self-described truth tellers, when giving it some thought, would bristle at interacting that way.
So, pleasantries abound…hands are shaken…backs are patted and our hearts are told to stay quiet.
Keeping your tongue in check is actually applauded when I comes to interacting with other people where we are told to be “slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)
Psalm 15:1-3
Lord, who can dwell in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?
The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in his heart—
who does not slander with his tongue,
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,
So, let’s keep it civil when dealing with brothers and sisters in Christ. OK?
HOWEVER … and this is a very big HOWEVER, it is from the heart we primarily communicate with God.
“The heart posture of a Christian is crucial because it reflects their true relationship with God and influences every aspect of their life.”
LET ME SHARE A QUICK REVIEW…
- The Heart Reflects True Worship. “He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37
- The Heart Determines Words and Actions. “A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” Luke 6:45
- God Looks at the Heart, Not Outward Appearances. “Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
- A Pure Heart is Essential for Fellowship with God. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:3-4
- The Heart Guides Spiritual Growth. “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23
So, what do our hearts reveal about us? EVERYTHING!!!
WHAT IF, like above, our heart posture was put into words? BETTER YET… WHAT IF we simply interpret what our heart posture is saying to GOD?
For those of us who struggle with BITTERNESS and are angry at being treated unfairly? And in our bitterness, we have found refuge and justification… What we are really saying is “GOD YOU ARE UNJUST!”
Though it is difficult to see in ourselves, for those of us who always seem to want more (GREEDY) and are focused on getting it, what we are really saying is “GOD YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE SATISFIED!”
When we have a LUSTFUL HEART and strong desires for something that isn’t ours, we are shouting, “GOD, YOU ARE NOT ENOUGH.”
When GRUDGES simply become the way we operate, we boldly proclaim “GOD, YOU ARE UNJUST.”
When NARCISSISM overtakes us and we are obsessed with our own position, appearance, recognition, or comfort we are whispering “GOD, I AM ABOUT ME.”
Our MATERIALISTIC HEARTS, couched in “just doing a good job” but really pursuing material things to the detriment of spiritual pursuits, are confessing, “GOD I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED.”
When we spend a lot of time wanting what others have and ENVY consumes us, it is like screaming “GOD YOU OWE ME.”
NONE OF US would utter those words to God … at least I hope we wouldn’t … but we might live in complete harmony with some of the thoughts mentioned above. The only way forward and out of this is to allow God to Change our hearts…Pray something along these lines…
PSALM 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.
Beloved, I am guilty of every one of the above-mentioned sins, and I can’t help but think I am not alone…
A FINAL WHAT IF…
What if each of us humbled ourselves and asked God to search our hearts, convict us where we are in sin, and simply confess and ask forgiveness for the things we have said to God … without ever uttering a word.
MEN! Let’s kick off the new year with breakfast together!!!
Come be encouraged on Thursday, January 30th at 6:45 am.
We will EAT WELL, open GOD’s WORD and get to work before 8am!
Cost: $5
Register by Monday, 1/27!
You have been prayed for today,
Hixon