What's in your mind and heart?

The only one who knows the answer to that question is you…and God. Sometimes we are attacked and criticized for things we say and do, and yet we know we have done them from a pure heart and a clean conscience. At other times, we are praised and honored, yet an honest look at our heart and mind would reveal that our motives and actions were not as pure and clean as one might think.

In Psalm 139:23-24, the psalmist, King David, says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” David’s plea is that God would make him aware of anything wrong or offensive in his life and that God would lead him on the path of everlasting life.

As you examine your heart and mind, what do you find? Do you find a person who is trying to do the right thing? Do you find honesty and integrity? Do you find kindness and compassion? Do you find love and forgiveness? Do you find a person of principle, who will do what is right and true, no matter what the consequences?

Throughout his life, the Apostle Paul had many ugly and unkind things said about him; yet he was able to say, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” At all times, the Apostle Paul sought to do the right thing, thus his conscience was clear. Yet, as he himself said, this did not make him innocent. Paul was a sinner. He had a sinful heart and mind and consequently he thought, said, and did things that were wrong.

The same is true of you and me. Remember, Jesus said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Ultimately, as Paul has said, the Lord, who knows our minds and hearts, will judge each one of us.

This would be a frightening thing, for Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Yet we need not fear the hands of God, for in the person of Jesus, the hands of God stretched out in death for each one of us. By His sacrificial death we are forgiven; by His glorious resurrection, we are saved. Through the blood of Jesus our hearts and minds are washed clean.

With clean minds and clean hearts, let us be true and honest to ourselves, to others, and to God. Let us strive at all times to do the right thing. Let us be people of integrity and principle and of care and compassion. Most of all, because of Jesus Christ, let us so very much know God loves each one of us. This love compels us to love Him and one another.