God Looks at the Heart- What’s In Yours?
We’ve all heard the verse, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34. However, it’s a powerful reminder that God looks at the heart not just our actions or words, but deeper places within us. If you’re anything like me, you may find yourself confronted with a mess more often than you’d like to admit.
This verse hits me deeply because one of my biggest personal battles is with anger. I tend to be quick-tempered, and more often than not. it catches me off guard. When I examine the root of it, I see how much of it stems from the environment I grew up in- an environment shaped by sin. But no matter where it comes from, the pattern is clear: the more time I spend away from Jesus and His word, the more my anger is magnified. God looks at the heart and He sees beyond my actions to the deeper issues at play.
The scary part? This doesn’t just affect me. It affects my family, my friendships, my peace of mind, and most importantly, it affects my relationship with Jesus. When our hearts are cluttered with unprocessed emotions and sin, our connection to the Lord begins to feel distant. That’s because what’s in our hearts will eventually come out. Whether through our words, actions, or attitudes- it all overflows. And remember: God looks at the heart- He sees the heart behind every word and every action.
But here’s the good news: We don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle. Jesus invites us to bring our mess to Him- yes, all of it. That includes the anger, the bitterness, the jealousy, the resentment, the things we don’t want anyone else to see. God looks at the heart and He doesn’t turn away from our filth. He purifies it.
So I ask you:
What’s Your Filth?
Is it bitterness?
Un-forgiveness?
Anger?
Jealousy?
Greed?
Resentment?
Lust?
Whatever it is, don’t hide it. Don’t pretend it’s not there. Bring it to the feet of Jesus. Let Him transform your heart so that what flows out of your mouth- and your life- is grace, peace, patience, and love.
A Prayer You Can Pray:
“Lord, I don’t want to hide my heart from You. I give You my anger, my bitterness, my wounds, and my sin. Cleanse me and fill me with Your Spirit. I want to overflow with Your love, not pain. Purify me, Lord. Amen.”