I was debating whether or not this could be considered stewardship. After all, if we're responsible for our heart and mind, isn't it because this is really ours? Don't we "own" our heart, and are not just stewards of it?
My confirmation to write this devotional came when a minister reminded his audience that we are a spirit, and that we have a soul. A soul is what I mean by "heart/mind." The soul is source of our emotions and contemplative thoughts, and I suppose I can see how that can be confused with one's spirit. Realize this, though - the soul does not continue into eternity; it is the spirit that lives on. That is a somber reminder that we should endeavor to do more to feed and train our spirits than our souls.
Nevertheless, the soul is with us while we are here on earth, and thus we have the responsibility to take care of it. It reminds me of a story I read by Joshua Harris, called "The Room." With powerful and convicting imagery, he describes the depth of God's love for us, and the grotesque nature of the sin that somehow does not limit it in the slightest. After reading this story, I personally understood that my sins break the heart of my Father, and wanted to henceforth be a good steward of my soul. Soul stewardship can be remembered like this:
1. Watch what comes in.
"The lamp of the body is the eye." [Matthew 6:22, 23] Jesus warned us long ago to be careful what we see. Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" reminds us that it is just that, a slow fade that dissolves our relationship with Christ. I do believe that every person is given different levels of tolerance in different areas. Some people need to separate themselves from worldly music because the suggestive lyrics will run through their mind without their permission. Others choose to not watch movies with explicit scenes, knowing that the worst parts will be replayed late at night when no one can judge them. Still others separate themselves from individuals who have destructive, pessimistic thoughts that induce worries in all their peers. Some need all three. Sometimes, our sanity requires the our minds' sanctity. Sanctification is separation for a holy purpose. Separating ourselves from what we know will defile us can help serve as our defense for holiness. If you want to "love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind ..." [Mark 12:30], then you will make this small sacrifice. Remember that the liberty we find in Christ is greater than the slavery of sin.
2. Watch what stays in.
What if something is already in our hearts? Unforgiveness certainly falls into this category. I know so many stories of people who let past wrongs sit down and fester in their souls, allowing them to spiritually decay from the inside out. I understand that there are some emotional pains that make the most excruciating physical pain seem like a paper cut. My heart breaks for those who suffer, and I know unforgiveness is an impossibility. Fortunately, we serve a God of the impossible. He has sent a Helper to counsel us, enabling us to let go. Unforgiveness is one of the most deceiving sins. We think that we're hurting that person, but ultimately who we're really hurting are ourselves. We also hurt those we care about, because hatred sucks the love out of us like a black hole sucks out light. Only Jesus can make us whole again, and He desires that we forgive not just for the sake our relationship with that individual, but also for our relationship with Him. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." [Matthew 6:14, 15] Be careful what you let sit in your heart. Make sure there's always room for God's love.
3. Watch what comes out.
Have you ever had a "Freudian slip"? It's when what we say reveals something we unconsciously desire. It's a misnomer, however, because Freud did not invent this idea. Jesus said, "... Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." [Luke 6:45]. I use these slips of the tongue to monitor my heart. I'm grateful for them, because I think we can deceive ourselves into thinking a matter is settled when it is not. This often happens when we have head knowledge, and not heart knowledge on the matter. What I mean is that often times, for some more often than others, it takes a while for something we know in our minds to be acknowledged by our hearts. For example, when I really caught grasp of the meaning of grace, it still took a while before I would go to God to ask for forgiveness. Oswald Chambers tells of a God who waits arms-open at the back of the wall of the world, "and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God." Even though I knew God to be this loving Father, I still was reluctant, seeing instead a drill sergeant waiting to reprimand me. Over time, and with much prayer, my heart has slowly changed. Prayer is key. When we see a matter is not resolved, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. The song is right; it truly is a privilege of which we should take greater advantage.
The Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things." [Jeremiah 17:9] That's why it's imperative that we learn to not let our heart govern us, but rather to be strong enough to govern our hearts. Ultimately, we cannot do it in our own strength. Really, we require divine wisdom, for it is the Lord who searches the heart and tests the mind [Jeremiah 17:10]. Pray that God grants us the ability to know when our hearts and minds are leading us astray. Let the Word of God be our guiding light. As David prayed,
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts. [Psalm 119:133, 134]
God bless,
Alisha
My confirmation to write this devotional came when a minister reminded his audience that we are a spirit, and that we have a soul. A soul is what I mean by "heart/mind." The soul is source of our emotions and contemplative thoughts, and I suppose I can see how that can be confused with one's spirit. Realize this, though - the soul does not continue into eternity; it is the spirit that lives on. That is a somber reminder that we should endeavor to do more to feed and train our spirits than our souls.
Nevertheless, the soul is with us while we are here on earth, and thus we have the responsibility to take care of it. It reminds me of a story I read by Joshua Harris, called "The Room." With powerful and convicting imagery, he describes the depth of God's love for us, and the grotesque nature of the sin that somehow does not limit it in the slightest. After reading this story, I personally understood that my sins break the heart of my Father, and wanted to henceforth be a good steward of my soul. Soul stewardship can be remembered like this:
1. Watch what comes in.
"The lamp of the body is the eye." [Matthew 6:22, 23] Jesus warned us long ago to be careful what we see. Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" reminds us that it is just that, a slow fade that dissolves our relationship with Christ. I do believe that every person is given different levels of tolerance in different areas. Some people need to separate themselves from worldly music because the suggestive lyrics will run through their mind without their permission. Others choose to not watch movies with explicit scenes, knowing that the worst parts will be replayed late at night when no one can judge them. Still others separate themselves from individuals who have destructive, pessimistic thoughts that induce worries in all their peers. Some need all three. Sometimes, our sanity requires the our minds' sanctity. Sanctification is separation for a holy purpose. Separating ourselves from what we know will defile us can help serve as our defense for holiness. If you want to "love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind ..." [Mark 12:30], then you will make this small sacrifice. Remember that the liberty we find in Christ is greater than the slavery of sin.
2. Watch what stays in.
What if something is already in our hearts? Unforgiveness certainly falls into this category. I know so many stories of people who let past wrongs sit down and fester in their souls, allowing them to spiritually decay from the inside out. I understand that there are some emotional pains that make the most excruciating physical pain seem like a paper cut. My heart breaks for those who suffer, and I know unforgiveness is an impossibility. Fortunately, we serve a God of the impossible. He has sent a Helper to counsel us, enabling us to let go. Unforgiveness is one of the most deceiving sins. We think that we're hurting that person, but ultimately who we're really hurting are ourselves. We also hurt those we care about, because hatred sucks the love out of us like a black hole sucks out light. Only Jesus can make us whole again, and He desires that we forgive not just for the sake our relationship with that individual, but also for our relationship with Him. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." [Matthew 6:14, 15] Be careful what you let sit in your heart. Make sure there's always room for God's love.
3. Watch what comes out.
Have you ever had a "Freudian slip"? It's when what we say reveals something we unconsciously desire. It's a misnomer, however, because Freud did not invent this idea. Jesus said, "... Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." [Luke 6:45]. I use these slips of the tongue to monitor my heart. I'm grateful for them, because I think we can deceive ourselves into thinking a matter is settled when it is not. This often happens when we have head knowledge, and not heart knowledge on the matter. What I mean is that often times, for some more often than others, it takes a while for something we know in our minds to be acknowledged by our hearts. For example, when I really caught grasp of the meaning of grace, it still took a while before I would go to God to ask for forgiveness. Oswald Chambers tells of a God who waits arms-open at the back of the wall of the world, "and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God." Even though I knew God to be this loving Father, I still was reluctant, seeing instead a drill sergeant waiting to reprimand me. Over time, and with much prayer, my heart has slowly changed. Prayer is key. When we see a matter is not resolved, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. The song is right; it truly is a privilege of which we should take greater advantage.
The Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things." [Jeremiah 17:9] That's why it's imperative that we learn to not let our heart govern us, but rather to be strong enough to govern our hearts. Ultimately, we cannot do it in our own strength. Really, we require divine wisdom, for it is the Lord who searches the heart and tests the mind [Jeremiah 17:10]. Pray that God grants us the ability to know when our hearts and minds are leading us astray. Let the Word of God be our guiding light. As David prayed,
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts. [Psalm 119:133, 134]
God bless,
Alisha
1 comment:
Hey Alisha! This is a really great entry. It is an interesting point, too about us being spirits and having souls. I'd never really thought about it that way. Also interesting idea that the soul doesn't continue into eternity. What is the scriptural support for that? I'm just curious. :)
I definitely agree with what you've written about protecting our hearts and minds. I've gone through a lot this past year and a half, that had seriously screwed up my heart and mind. It was the searing disappointment of unrequited love. If we don't let go of our heartbreaks and disappointments (whatever they are) it just eats us alive. Everything in your life becomes an output of that function; everything is filtered through it.
Once I was able (by the grace of God) to let go in my heart (not just in my mind), my life was immediately healthier. God has restored my joy, my soul, my worldview, and my relationships. Praise be to God!
Unforgiveness isn't the only negativity that can't be allowed to rot our souls. I was never angry, I was just really sad. Whenever we allow our souls to marinate in negativity, it isn't healthy.
In Phillipians, Paul writes: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (Phillippians 4:8) This should be a checklist for the feelings and thoughts we have; if they don't measure up, we really need to discard them before they take root.
It is definitely true that what we feed into our souls is what will determine the quality of our lives and relationships, with each other and with the Lord.
Great blog entry, Alisha. Chock-full of truthiness. :)
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