In Matt 12:34b and 37, it tells us, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks...For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." We must be careful about what we think, for what we think is what we say., and what we say and do is what the world knows about us.
A story from Samuel and Chronicles puts verification upon these verses. Because Saul was unfaithful to God by consulting a medium, he and his three sons died, the sons killed by the Philistines in battle and Saul, badly wounded, fell on his sword in suicide. What came out of Saul's mouth condemned him and it started with Saul's jealousy and hatred of David. David having already been ordained by Samuel before this, did not become King of Israel until the death of Saul.
Jesus told his listeners then and still tells us today that we are either condemned or justified by our words and actions. We are accountable for both. Yet it all begins by our thoughts. God sees and hears what we say and think, and each is an outflow of what is in the heart.
I must always give God the glory and the credit for the "coincidences and actions" of my life. In order for good to come from me, my heart's desire must be to be God's vessel to be used for His good purposes. In order to do this, I must practice thinking how to best please God. This may take a major change in me, perhaps, but from this moment, I will work upon changing my heart's desires to always please God, first in my thoughts, and finally in my actions.
Thank you, God, for searching out our thoughts. Guide my thoughts, Lord, that I may not sin with selfish thinking. May my thoughts be always of pleasing you and of reaching out to others. Amen.
Jo INMN
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