One of the first photographs ever taken (1839) was of an American photographer taking a picture of himself–perhaps history’s first “selfie.” Fast forward to today, there are tens of millions of selfies posted on social media sites around the world every year. Many of the pictures record events and relationships. But far too many are of individuals taking images of themselves alone–the “Look at me!” variety of selfie.
The problem with any picture, selfie or otherwise, is that it only records what is on the outside. The camera has yet to be invented (and never will be) that can photograph the spiritual status of the heart, soul, or mind. And that is the part of us God is most concerned about. When Samuel was sent to anoint Israel’s new king, God told him not to anoint a man who looked like a king. Instead, he was to anoint a man who had the heart of a king, a heart after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
Those viewing your photos can’t see your heart, but God can. Make sure He finds in you a heart that is pursuing Him.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Dr. David Jeremiah, Turning Points Devotional, July 5, 2017
Quote:
A man’s heart is what he is.
~ R.B. Kuiper
This particular devotional really stood out to me when I first read it, and I have been thinking about it ever since.
As a Christian, I have instinctively known that much of the ills, sins, hatred, rebellion, and crimes of humans stem from a “heart” issue. I’m talking about the spiritual state of humans as they go about their everyday lives. Why are some humans prone to do such evil? Why are others prone to sexually abuse? Why are others prone to spew hatred? Why are others prone to commit murder?
All of these terrible situations are ultimately derived from heart/spiritual problems.
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“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; Who can know it? |
Readers might be thinking, “no…not MY heart! I’m good! Well, most of the time.” No one wants to admit the obvious! Jeremiah 17:9 is truth, and we all must face that fact.
Fortunately, Jeremiah doesn’t end with verse 9. In verse 10, the prophet explains:
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I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. |
When a person is “after God’s own heart,” he/she is much less likely to do evil. I’m not saying such people are perfect (for, no one is – “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”) however, when Jesus enters into a man or woman and indwells his or her heart through the power of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual strength that we had lacked here-to-fore becomes stronger with Christ “at the wheel” of our journey. Such a process is called “sanctification” and it is a life-long journey. We can never completely arrive as “sanctified” until we are at home in Heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Knowing that Jesus Christ took the punishment that every human being who has ever lived deserved; and that confessing and repenting of such sins and asking Jesus to indwell our hearts through the Holy Spirit saves us from spiritual death, why would anyone want to reject the Gospel message?
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Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise. |
Hat tips:
Turning Points Devotional, July 5, 2017
Blue Letter Bible
Graphics links
Talk Wisdom 