What Comes Up?

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45 NIV

I've noticed that there are two times when I can see what is in my heart. The first is when I have a moments down time. The second is when I'm reacting quickly, usually if someone or something upsets me. What comes up then gives me a pretty good indication of what's in my heart. 

In a moment of down time I tend to think about what is really occupying my thoughts. When I am upset I can see what is at the bottom of my heart. 

What I need to do is fill my heart and mind with good things. Again, I am not throwing out a guilt bomb telling you to read your Bible every spare moment you have or pray every day during your coffee break and lunch. (Don't be afraid to if you want, but don't vow yourself into a corner.) But, do spend some time in prayer and reading the Bible. Put all things in perspective, under Christ. 

EPIDEMIC: FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

James 3:2 (NIV)

Unfortunately the bad taste in my mouth is often because I put my foot there and the aftertaste of where they have been is not to pleasant. Not to attempt to diminish the legendary status of my foot in mouth disease, but, I notice that I am not the only one. 

James says we all stumble in many ways.  Nobody is perfect. That is not an excuse or deflection, it is just the truth. What James seems to be getting at is that if we can control our mouths we can control our lives. If we can, by faith, be controlled by the Holy Spirit, we can be mature. 

Check yourself. Who or what is controlling you? Jesus said, "The good man brings out good things stored up in him, and the evil man brings out of the evil stored up in him" (Matthew 12:35). I read my Bible daily. I pray. I try to seek God. I don't do these things because I am spiritual. I do them because I know that in me lives no good thing. I need to store up good things within myself. I need to align myself in Christ. He will fill me with good things of the Spirit. 

How do you check yourself?

Father, help us to keep ourselves in check with you. Praise be to you in us today?