Applying My Heart To Understanding: A Forgetful Hearer

The following is a short writing that I put together about 10 years ago. Through personal and honest meditation on God's Word the Bible, I have learned to incline my ears to wisdom and my Heart to understanding (Proverbs 2:2). Often, I come away convicted and motivated to make changes in my life that will bring honor to my God's reputation. This was the case here.

This particular writing is a call for honesty in our personal walk with God. At the time, I felt my walk with God was superficial. Putting it to writing was one of the first steps I took toward a more intimate and tangible relationship with Christ. It is my confession for my insincere walk with God. I then determined to set myself apart for His purposes. It is my personal commitment to walk with God in word and in deeds at all times even when no one is looking.

I am passing it along in the hope that it will cause others to take the time to examine their Christian walk in the same manner. For those who know to do right but struggle in their application. The place to start is being honest with your self. It is my prayer that all who read this will join me as I determine to make my Christian walk match my Christian talk.

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Do I Really Believe?

In my attempt to “Incline my ears to wisdom and apply my heart to understanding.” (Proverbs 2:2) I find asking myself direct probing questions are essential in maintaining clear insight into my relationship with God. Lately I have found this question extremely probing. Do I really believe? Do I really believe in God? Do I really believe that the Holy Bible is his Word and that I should live according to its laws and statutes? Do I really believe that there is a Hell and a Judgment, that one day I will have to give an account? I say I believe. But do I really? If judged based on my actions, the desires of my heart and the things done in secret. Then many times, I do not.

Calling My Bluff

This may or may not surprise you. It depends on how closely you are watching me. If you only watch me from a distance and when I know you are there, I am fairly sure you will be surprised to find that I don’t always believe the things I preach. For you, I am very sure of myself and put up a confident theological front. In addition to this, I am careful to do what is right so that I portray a good witness. However, those of you who watch me closely on a daily basis probably saw the contradiction between my words and my actions long ago. For you there is no surprise.

Even so, there is one who is very close to me who is surprised! This person was absolutely floored by my lack of true conviction and my shallow relationship with God. Who is this person that is blinded by my dazzling Christian talk, my abundant reserves of false humility and my vast understanding of the Bible? Is it my wife? Is it one of my trusting children? Or maybe it’s my Mother? Wrong on all three accounts. This woefully ignorant and spiritually blind individual is ……Me.

James 1: 22-24
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

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A Dose of Reality

When was the last time you looked in the mirror? What did you see? Do you remember? Of course we all know what we look like on the outside. But when we are faced with our reflection after gazing into the mirror of God’s Word sometimes we don’t want to remember. God’s Word is just that, a mirror. Fortunately God’s mirror will not break no matter how ugly you are! Hopefully, it will be you that is broken!

Hebrews 4: 12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Dear God:

Please forgive me for serving you in a "on again/off again" manner. I confess that I am guilty of behaving in a way that contradicts your Word, as well as, my professed faith in your Son, my redeemer, Jesus Christ. In so doing, I have made myself look foolish and have brought to your name a reproach from those who are watching.

Starting today, may my life bring you honor. Help me, Lord Jesus, to walk before you at all times, unashamed.

I love you. Help me to love you more....

More then I love myself!

In the name of your son Jesus Christ I pray

Amen

In Christ

ABR