December 2017 Archives
What is a Clean Heart?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
I used to think of “a clean heart” as a moral one, but I’ve come to realize that there is more to this than might initially be seen. David wrote the above verse after his adultery with Bathsheba but I think there are other ways to apply it to our lives today.
A clean heart can definitely start with seeing those around us as people instead of sex objects, but what about those that you cannot stand? A clean heart toward them might mean ridding yourself of hatred and bitterness or anything else that is clouding your heart. I talked about forgiveness yesterday, so I won’t belabor the point. I will, however, encourage you to keep digging. Once you have dealt with the bitterness and hatred that have started to spring up, watch for anger, envy, lust, and whatever else is creating a barrier between you and the Father. Habits are hard to break but these need to go.
The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, and self-control. These are the things that will clear out the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. If these do not define you, I encourage you to actively seek these things. You will never be truly happy until you do.
Thoughts on Forgiveness
I have been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately: how important it is, how difficult it can be, and what it looks like. In spite of popular opinion, forgiveness is not always acting as if there is not a problem. It isn’t necessarily reinstating relationship with those who have hurt you. Forgiveness definitely can be manifest in these ways, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, if someone molests your child, you may not allow the offender back into your home or social gatherings, but you will need to make sure that you do not allow bitterness and hatred to fill your heart.
If you have lived for any length of time, no doubt someone has hurt you. It may have been something major like I mentioned above, or it may have been a much lighter infraction but one that hurt just the same. I believe that, in each situation, the key is to be led by the Spirit. There are people that Scripture tells us to stay away from. But there are also times that we need to swallow our pride (which no doubt was hurt) and respond in the love of Jesus despite our heartache. I have done both and they have been equally hard but God’s grace accompanies a heart that is seeking Him and striving to do the right thing.
Scripture tells us that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48) and that he who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). Too often, I forget just how much I have been forgiven … but then I read God’s Word, and I see how much I need His forgiveness. How then can I not forgive those who sin against me?
When someone hurts you, I encourage you to do the following:
1) Take time to evaluate the situation. Was the offense intentional or unintentional? Does he or she know that you are hurt by their action?
2) Pray for the person. If the offender wanted to hurt you, pray that God will change his or her heart and bring conviction. If he or she is unaware of the offense, ask God to show you how to graciously point the error out.
3) Read God’s Word. Read verses on forgiveness and ask God to help you to see just how much you have been forgiven–by God and others.
4) Ask for wisdom. Before you act, make sure you know what God desires you to do in the situation, not what your flesh would like to do. Can the relationship continue? To what degree? Relationships are important. Many times, God uses people to help us to grow. There are relationships, however, that hinder that growth and distract us from doing what God has called us to do. These are the ones that we need to distance from no matter how difficult it is to do so.
The Christian life is not always easy but it is rewarding. This next little while, I plan to challenge you, as God is challenging me, to do the hard things that become easier the closer we walk with Him.
I’m Back!
I’m sorry that I have been absent for so long. My site has been down, and I am so not techie! My brother finally found some time to get me back up and running, and I am thrilled to start writing again!
This month, I have been doing a lot of soul searching. It is easy to become so busy that one doesn’t really know where she is at with God. A friend was feeling the same way and asked if we could go through The Walk of Repentance together again, and so we are.
When going through a Bible study, you have got to be willing to cry out to God: “Search me! Try me! Show me the things in my life that don’t please You and that keep me from a close walk with You. Change me from the inside out!” This is not easy but it is vital. We need to truly be as desperate for God as we are for the air we breathe.
I don’t have a lot to say right now, but I’m sure I will be writing more in the next few weeks as God inspires. Please keep me in your prayers. God bless you all!
