Mark 7:21-23 – “ For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly. ²³ All these evils come from within and defile a person.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the importance of the heart filled my consciousness.  The heart I am referring to is not the blood-pumping organ, but the mainspring of the being.  That’s the key.  The content of the heart produces the fruit that is visible. The content of the heart is revealed in our words, thoughts, pursuits, passions, and actions. (Psalm 141:3-4).

Jesus addressed the heart in Mark 7:21-23.  The content of the heart defines the character of a person’s life!  What is our call?  We are to Love God with all our heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves.  We are to be witnesses for Jesus through demonstrated godliness.    We are to meditate on the LORD and to testify of Him.

My assignment and yours is not to be the corrector of everyone, nor the critic finding everyone’s flaws.  We all have them.  Our commission is to “lift up Jesus,” proclaiming the“Good News.”

If our hearts are filled with religious pride and we look for everyone’s flaws, it becomes hard to love as Jesus loved. His ultimate purpose was reconciliation and restoration, not exposure and rejection.  If our heart overflows with love, we will always seek to restore.   If our heart is filled with religious pride, we will seek to expose thinking it somehow elevates us and honors God.   Jesus died for them, too!

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.   Remember Galatians 6:1-2 – “My brethren, if anyone be found at fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of meekness; and be careful lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

What’s in our hearts?    Out of the overflow of the heart come words, attitudes, and actions. Our hearts are easily read by our words, attitudes, and actions.

May our hearts overflow with Love for God and our Fellow man!