What's in Our Heart and Thoughts?

O. T. #2106  "What's in Our Heart and Thoughts?"

Jan. 12, 2022

Amos 3

LET IT GLOW

We went to the movies the other night to see a popular movie. But we had to leave because the main character sought an evil witch man to change things. Ads did not reveal this, so we wasted our money, but protected our hearts and minds. We are to avoid any appearance of evil, much less allow our thoughts to entertain evil ways.

In Psalm 139:23-24, David asked God to search for sin in his heart and thoughts, then to point it out to him. This is exploratory surgery for sin.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

How can we recognize sin in our life unless God points it out? When He shows us, then we are to repent and ask forgiveness. When we do so, we continue on God's everlasting way. Dare we ask?

Believer, are your thoughts holy, or are you allowing evil and sinful thoughts to grow in your mind? Jesus told us to seek Him first and His righteousness. Then everything will follow. (Matt. 6:33)

Are we instilling righteousness in our activities and relationships? Is our life above reproach, not a stumbling block? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our life and control our thoughts, actions, words?

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Just as Israel needed new hearts, so do we each day.

LET IT GROW

According to Wiersby, Amos gave three messages warning Israel of the danger of hardening their hearts toward God's Word:

1. The first message was an explanation. (3:1-15)
2. The second message focused on accusation of sins. (4:1-13)
3. The third message concerned the lamentation to come when doom arrives as God judges their sins. (5:1-6:14)

Amos did not beat around the bush. He got down to where the rubber meats the road, so to speak. He came right out and said that God was going to punish Israel for their sins, iniquities. Isn't it too bad that the priests and politicians did not heed the warning and call the people to repentance?

However, do we sit in a church service week after week and hear the Word preached and do nothing about it in our life? Or do we apply what the Scriptures say? We have a greater responsibility when we hear it than the one who does not.

 

LET IT GO

Change our heart, O God; make it ever true.

May You find us faithful and obedient.

Lead us on the righteous road You have paved for us, Jesus.