Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:2-3
Have you ever noticed how some children learn? It seems as though they listen to whatever has been said, and then repeat it at the most (in)convenient time. They share whatever is on their hearts without thinking of the effects and consequences. We could all agree that it is important that we share positive thoughts with them, to help them as they develop and grow.
As adults, we subconsciously listen to and record what is going on around us. Our lips will utter what is printed on our hearts. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” St Luke 6:45. Whatever we feed on, will likely leave a heartprint. It is important that we feed on what is positive and uplifting as we develop and grow in His likeness.
From one perspective, heartprints are what we place in our hearts. Heartprints are also what we allow others to place in our hearts. “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” St Mark 7:20. Our hearts reveal much of what we are. What we speak is developed in the heart. The Scriptures admonish: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” Proverbs 4:23-24.This is a plain and simple truth that we ought to obey. Young and impressionable children may not be able to control what prints end up on their hearts, but we are without excuse.
We get to decide what goes in, what gets flushed out, and what remains as a heartprint. We can choose to do things our way, or we can choose to allow Him to guide the heart prints we leave on others, and the prints we allow to be left on our hearts.
“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Personal application: What are the heart prints that define me? What have I been sharing with others? What do I have living on “the tip-of-my-tongue
Inventory / introspection:How can I ensure that my heart prints show His love and lead others to Him?
Father I thank You for giving us Your words so we can hide them in our hearts allow them to mold and shape what we become. Your word requires that we become like little children in order to experience relationship with You. Help us to filter what comes our way through the light of Your love and grace, so that only the things that are “of good report” will remain on our hearts.
Human nature will cause us to want to keep the prints we like, or the ones that make us comfortable. Please clear out what doesn’t belong.
It is our desire to love like You love … Help us to leave positive heartprints on those You allow to cross our paths. May the words we speak under pressure be ones that edify others and magnify Your holy name.
Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
(c)
Except where indicated, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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