Articles
Mind Over Matters
Throughout the Bible, we are told of the importance of having a right heart, especially in our service to God. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for honoring God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 15:8) and, as a contrast, reminds us that the greatest command is to love the Lord “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). It should be understood by all that God does care what is in our hearts and so we should care what is in our hearts. It would be wise to, every so often, examine our own hearts to see if they are right in the sight of God, would it not? The apostle Paul, by inspiration, thought so, for he wrote to encourage the Corinthian brethren, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5).
At the same time, we must then ask, 'By what standard will I do this?' I could examine my heart and declare it just fine if I use my own standard. And if I found that my heart was in worse shape over time, I could just lower the standard so it wouldn't look so bad. But that wouldn't do me any good. I need to be examined thoroughly, and not by my own standard. I need to desire an examination that is done according to God's standard. And I must desire, as did the psalmist, that the Lord try me and “Search me, O God, and know my heart…And see if there be any grievous way in me” (Psa. 139:23, 24). Our goal should be — first of all — to have hearts that are right in the sight of God (cf. Acts 8:21) and, if we find it is not, then making the necessary corrections.
With this in mind, let us take the time to do just that; let us take some 'heart exams' to see if our hearts are right in the sight of God. We will do so by using the most advanced equipment and most thorough examination procedures and methods: We will open our Bibles and see what God says! When the examinations are made, we must use God's word to make the determination of our heart's condition and resolve to do what is necessary to make it right, if it is not. By using God's prescription for any and all heart problems, we may be found spiritually sound and fit for the kingdom.
The Anxious Heart. The wise writer tells us, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Prov. 12:25). More than any point in the history of our country, we have people who are affected by the daily concerns, and more people than ever are seeking psychiatric help, taking prescription medicine for mental troubles and anxiety, and — sadly — committing suicide. I don't know that I would say our world is any more stressful than in times past, but our society is feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities and some are so bothered by these things that it seriously affects their mental state. Their hearts are overburdened and unable to handle the pressure.
For some, it is just the everyday concerns of food and clothing and a place to sleep. Jesus spoke about these things and said it was the Gentiles [i.e., the people of the world] who seek after those things (Matt. 6:31-32, 34), and such has never changed. We have phrases that describe those who are concerned about the earthly things; we say they are 'keeping up with the Joneses.' Sometimes, there are people who have to daily seek for their food and shelter, and some are concerned with what they will wear, but Jesus said even these things should not be our concern and we should not be overly worried about them.
God has an answer for all the unnecessary worries and concerns we may have in this life; we don't need more medication for curing what really ails us — but we have to be willing to listen and to follow His directions! Instead of worrying about our everyday needs, Jesus said we should “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). For those who know God, they know that God will not forsake His own, but will take care of their daily needs.
But we must first seek Him and His righteousness; that is, we must make God our priority. So many see this as too simplistic and cannot understand how their troubles will be eased by this, though, and never learn to trust in Him. Let me ask you: Do you understand how your medication works? Does it matter to you that you do not understand how it works? Will you refuse your medicine until you can completely understand how it works? We may now know how God will provide for our needs, but we must trust — that is, we must have faith — based on the testimony of the One who knows best what we need. It is now that we need to listen to God!
Let us not think that once we become a child of God, all the stress and anxiety of life will disappear. On the contrary, it is then that they have just begun! But let us also not forget that we have a constant solution to those anxieties, too. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). As the saying goes: 'Know God, know peace; no God, no peace.' To attain true peace in the heart, we must know God, but we must also go to Him with our troubles. He is there to ever comfort us and give us peace of mind — a settled heart.
A Weakened Heart. The wise writer also warns, “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above” (Prov. 14:14). The danger here is two-fold in that selfish desires can lead to a weakened heart, or selfish desires can be the result of a weakened heart. Either way, though, he ends up following after his own desires, rather than following the way of the Lord.
Our spiritual adversary doesn't always lead us to renounce our faith; sometimes, he just draws us away little by little until we are off the strait and narrow way and back on the wide and smooth road to destruction. You can guarantee, though, that he will lure us by our own desires (cf. Jas. 1:14) to get us there! He is quite content to take his time and lead us away by using our own desires, and convincing us to believe we are still faithful, even as we are straying.
The answer to this heart problem is a strengthened resolve to live faithfully to the Lord. We can never be content to just 'get by' with our faith, or do as little as we think we can get by with; we must, as Paul wrote, “excel still more” (1 Thess. 4:1). Contentment with our spiritual strength will lead us to become lukewarm disciples, a description we hopefully find just as disgusting as did our Lord (cf. Rev. 3:16).
To further guarantee we do not allow our heart to be weakened, we must endeavor to have a spiritual mind, rather than one set on the things of this world (cf. Col. 3:1, 2). You see, the devil has no influence on us if we are not interested in the worldly things; he has nothing else to offer!
So, how's your heart? Is it at peace, and is it as strong as it should be? — Steven Harper
