The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
January 27, 2002
In
This Issue:
"Keep
Thy Heart With All Diligence"
By
Carrol Sutton
"KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE"
A long time ago Solomon said: "Keep thy heart with all diligence..." (Proverbs 4:23). This admonition is needed by every accountable person in all generations.
WHAT IS THE HEART? It is that part of man that:
1. THINKS. Proverbs 23:7 says: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." Also see Matthew 9:4 & Acts 8:22.
2. REASONS. Mark 2:6 says: "But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts." In v. 8 Jesus said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?"
3. UNDERSTANDS. Jesus said: "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15).
4. KNOWS. Solomon said: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others." (Ecclesiastes 7:22).
5. BELIEVES. Romans 10:10 says: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness..."
6. TRUSTS. Proverbs 3:5 says: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
7. LOVES AND HATES. Matthew 22:37 says: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor with all thy heart..." and Psalm 105:25 says: "He turned their heart to hate his people..."
8. WILLS. (Israelites) "...whose heart made them willing..." (Exodus 35:29).
9. CONDEMNS OR CONDEMNS NOT. 1 John 3:20-21 says: "For if our heart condemn us..." and "...if our heart condemn us not,..."
WHY SHOULD WE KEEP OUR HEARTS WITH DILIGENCE? "...For out of it are the issues of life." Our hearts determine our attitudes and actions. Jesus said: (in Mark 7:21-13) "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Only the "pure in heart" shall see God! (Matthew 5:8). Diligence is essential in keeping our hearts! Are you diligent in keeping your heart?
by Carrol Sutton
Via The Instructor, June 2001